As the pressure begins to mount on Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, there are already plenty casting glances elsewhere.
Whether it’s loose claims the Gers are monitoring QPR boss and former Ibrox coach Michael Beale, or fan talk surrounding Argentine boss Marcelo Bielsa, there is certainly something quite passive aggressive about the coverage.
But if we seriously strip it back and consider for a second that people are talking about replacing van Bronckhorst whilst he’s still in the job, it is also massively disrespectful.
I’ve been a vocal critic of the Dutch coach at times, in the midst of the defeat to Celtic the thought of an exit had more than crossed my mind, but the latest coverage talks of van Bronckhorst as a distinct failure when his record actually proves he is anything but.
Rangers replacement talk disrespectful to Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Ok, so last season’s Scottish Premiership collapse was somewhat unforgivable, as are the humiliating defeats to Celtic and in the Champions League, but the notion that van Bronckhorst has done nothing for the club is flat our false.
The run to the Europa League Final was not only magnificent, but it raked in millions for the club and raised our profile to the highest level on the European stage again.
The ex-Feyenoord boss also delivered a Scottish Cup in his first season – something Steven Gerrard never did – whilst he also qualified for the Champions League this season – something Steven Gerrard never did.
Yes the lack of identity is worrying and Rangers have been extremely turgid since just about the first-whistle this season and Gers fans are losing faith in a side who have been on the receiving end of several batterings.
That air of negativity kicks up a stink and it loses some perspective for how the club has developed under Gio and also fails to properly take into consideration elements such as the ongoing in injury crisis at the club.
But most of all, talking about changing the Rangers manager before he has even left the office at the club is massively disrespectful to a man who has already shouldered a lot – good and bad – in the early part of his Ibrox management career.
Meanwhile, one ex-Rangers star was involved in an on-pitch brawl with his new club in a six-goal thriller than saw four men sent off.