Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been giving his first interview since being appointed at Ibrox – and fans haven’t missed his reunion with legendary kitman Jimmy Bell.
Jimmy was at Ibrox during Giovanni’s spell as a Rangers player between 1998 and 2001 and the kitman is a fixture at Rangers who has remained a key part of the club ever since.
A legendary figure amongst the Rangers support, fans tuning into the exclusive RangersTV interview with van Bronckhorst would’ve almost certainly raised a smile at the mention of Jimmy.
Not only did van Bronckhorst reflect on his first spell at the club and his return, but he also spoke positively of Jimmy Bell and claimed this time around he might actually understand him better.
“It’s always good to come into a place where you already know some people,” said van Bronckhorst.
“So for me Jimmy Bell is a special person because in the first days of my time at Rangers I couldn’t have met such a true Scotsman from the beginning.
“It was very difficult to understand him but for me he is one of the pillars of what the Rangers identity is so it’s good to see that Jimmy has been at the club for many years and I’m looking forward to seeing him again.
“I’ll probably understand him much better than my first time!”
There is also a short clip of the two sharing an embrace at the Rangers training centre and it’s caught the eye of supporters on social media:
https://twitter.com/Alfredos_Cat/status/1462336970047344645
https://twitter.com/snatchneil/status/1462324682137509891
Jimmy Bell not the only topic of discussion for Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Of course, Jimmy Bell was not the only topic of discussion for new Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the Dutchman touched on everything from his vision, to the squad, to Ross Wilson before finally talking up the supporters.
Here’s what Gio had to say regarding the current squad and how he envisages his Rangers side playing at Ibrox.
“You see the team is in a good moment, they have been working very hard to become the team they are now,” said van Bronckhorst.
“Steven did a great job in helping them become as strong as they are now.
“It’s just the case of continuing this positivity, to help the club, help the team become even better.
van Bronckhorst: I was brought up in the Dutch system
“I think we are always a club who wants to win prizes, and win trophies, I had that as a player, I also have that mentality as a coach.
“I am looking forward to helping this team forward.
“I was brought up in the Dutch system, playing with teams who always try and attack, be dominant.
“We had it the Rangers team, the Dutch team, with Barcelona, capable of being very dominant.
“I like to be dominant as a coach as well. That philosophy doesn’t change, on the training pitch, in games, you have got to have the same thinking.
“I am looking forward to bring that into the team, that we are getting better and stronger in every game we play.”
New manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be at Hampden for the Premier Sports Cup clash with Hibs – although he won’t take charge – and fans are planning a special Oranje tribute.
