Gio Van Bronckhorst shares ‘difficult’ international issue at Rangers
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has spoken on the ‘difficult’ issues caused at Ibrox by international football.
The Gers are without Joe Aribo at the moment, with him away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Alfredo Morelos is also set to miss the Bears vital clash with Celtic due to being called up by Columbia.
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ clash with Stirling Albion on Friday (January 21), van Bronckhorst said: “If you have International games during the league it always can create difficult situations, I know what the club means to both Joe and Alfredo but I also know how important it is to play for your international team.”
One vital hurdle
In normal circumstances international football rarely interferes with club football. This season AFCON has wreaked havoc for the teams with many African players and unfortunately that includes Rangers.
The situation is made that much more difficult with the Bears having to play potentially their toughest game of the season with their key players absent – the Old Firm at Celtic Park.
With that being said, Rangers’ Glaswegian neighbours will be without several key players themselves which should keep the game on an even keel.
Rangers should be able to get through all the games they are scheduled to miss without their African stars unscathed. It will present problems no doubt, but the derby is a must not lose.
If the Gers lead at the top of the table would be reduced to one point if they suffer defeat against Celtic. It is imperative that doesn’t happen, and the African players return to the lead they left with.
In other Bears news, Gio Van Bronckhorst says Rangers are ‘fully prepared’ for more January business.