Giovanni van Bronckhorst clings on at Rangers as key factor in board decision emerges
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is holding onto his Rangers job as the board consider the injury crisis a key mitigating factor in the poor form, the Daily Record reports.
The defeat at St. Johnstone on Sunday (6 November) has turned the pressure on the Dutchman up hugely, when he was already struggling after a miserable Champions League campaign.
Heavy defeat to Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season has contributed to a seven point gap at the top of the SPFL, and the season feels like it is at risk of collapse already.
But there are major injury issues within the squad, with the likes of John Souttar, Tom Lawrence, and Connor Goldson all missing, and the board reportedly feel that is justification to give van Bronckhorst more time.
The latest report says: “Record Sport understands that the board see the injury situation for what it is and feel it has been an extenuating factor behind Rangers ‘ poor results and performances under Van Bronckhorst. To put it simply, there is an understanding.
“To that end, there is no desire to sack him just yet with key games against Hearts and St Mirren coming before the World Cup break.”
Excuses?
It is certainly true that any manager will struggle if various important players aren’t at their disposal, and the defence has taken a particular battering.
Souttar was expected to be a regular starter alongside Goldson, and contributed to the decision to allow Leon Balogan to leave, but has barely featured since his free transfer arrival from Hearts.
Goldson’s departure from the game against Liverpool at Ibrox led to the 7-1 mauling in the second half, and the almost-forgotten Filip Helander hasn’t played at all this season.
And with Lawrence also hardly involved since his summer arrival, and Ianis Hagi having not played for months, there are mitigating circumstances further forward as well.
But the manager hasn’t helped his own cause in proving to be a demotivating figure publicly as the European campaign turned into a nightmare.
And the signings that have been available have either gone under-used or haven’t been up to scratch, with the notable exception of Antonio Colak.
As the suspicion grows that the board can’t afford to get rid of the manager and his staff it could be that they are searching for justification to keep him in place.
But if that leads to further poor results from a team whose confidence looks shot under the current boss, it will only make the problem worse.
In other Rangers news, explosive claims made regarding the futures of three key senior figures in the Ibrox squad.