New Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst cut a stern figure as he was introduced to the press for the first time as Ibrox gaffer – but he admitted one element of his appointment is “not ideal”.
The Dutchman knows all about the expectations at Ibrox and the necessity to win trophies but he is coming into the club midway through the season.
Giovanni, 46, admits that this presents its own challenges because ordinarily the coaching staff would have six weeks to implement their philosophies and vision to the players.
That’s six weeks Rangers do not have as they prepare to face off in crunch Europa League and Premiership fixtures over the course of that period.
“You don’t have pre-season where you have six weeks or more to work with your new staff and the players,” said van Bronckhorst [Rangers].
“It’s not ideal but the club did well to react in the last week to get in a new manager and backroom staff and for the players it’s something they don’t want mid-season.
“But it’s just the way it is so we will be working hard to win games which is most important.”
“Hunger” to be successful under van Bronckhorst at Ibrox must come from within
Gio was also speaking amid the fall-out of the Premier Sports Cup semi-final exit to Hibs at the weekend and has responded to Connor Goldson claims about the side lacking “hunger”.
The Ibrox vice-captain has come in for huge criticism for the comments where he also claimed the game was gone at 3-1 down and van Bronckhorst has claimed “hunger” must come from within.
“I saw a lot of footage of the team and games they played this season. It’s a great squad. They won the league last year and obviously it’s more difficult to be champions a second year,” said Gio.
“But we’re in a good place although of course not happy with the result on Sunday so I can see some things I want to change and we have to be better at.
“My first meeting with the players will be on Tuesday so it’s better to tell them first and I can look them in the eyes to make sure we do everything to be successful at this club.
“That is my goal and ambition and also the message I want to put across to the players.
“I expect everyone is on board with me. It’s my duty to prepare players for games. I prepare them in their attitude, their hunger, their what ever.
“The hunger has to come from within yourself. It starts with that. That would make it a lot easier for me as a coach.
“But being involved in top football all my life I know what needs to be done and what you have to do to be successful.
“That message I got across as a coach from when I started and I will keep doing that and if some player thinks otherwise then they will have a tough manager.”
van Bronckhorst will also be joined in Glasgow by a trio of Dutch coaching staffers but there remains an intention to sign another coach as GVB’s assistant.
Taking to Instagram, ex-Bayern striker Roy Makaay – who has joined as a first-team coach – sent a message to supporters after signing on at Ibrox.
