Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst may have had his doubters at Ibrox, but the Dutchman looks more and more like a proper Ibrox manager with every passing week.
Perhaps the ex-Feyenoord boss’ “new manager bounce” masked many of the problems at Ibrox and the 12-point swing that now defines the Premiership season is undoubtedly a blight on his and the players’ copy-books.
This remains unacceptable and even now, musing over it, it is a source of ridiculous frustration and no matter what happens in the coming weeks that post-break spell was inexcusable from the players, management and board.
But what Rangers could deliver now is bigger than (most) league titles and certainly bigger than the one that has been contested this season.
Whilst the players deserve huge credit for their gargantuan performances on the European stage, van Bronckhorst too should be applauded for a pragmatism not associated with the previous staff which has paved the way to a shot at Europa League glory.
If the manager can take that step, it will be an almighty one for not just the club but himself too.
Despite this, even in previewing it, van Bronckhorst refused to let the focus switch back to himself. This is – and has always been – about Rangers.
These weren’t soundbites or throwaway comments, van Bronckhorst often accused of taking the easy way out in early interviews and as pressure built. This was genuine and heartfelt.
Watch his pre-match presser HERE or below.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst handles Jimmy Bell passing with Rangers class
Even more impressively is how the Dutchman has handled the passing of Jimmy Bell, a club legend synonymous with Rangers whose surprise death has rocked the dressing room.
Players, ex-players, staff; everyone associated with Rangers young and old has paid tribute to Jimmy and his quiet, dedicated and high-standard approach to life at the club.
But perhaps there is something poignant in this relationship that connects the dots for the Rangers boss.
A young foreign player coming to Glasgow, van Bronckhorst has had a special relationship with Jimmy even as far back as his time as a player and perhaps, without knowing any details, even more so as a manager.
There’s that embrace upon his return to the Rangers Training Centre, the hug at the end of the Scottish Cup semi-final, the flashback to “Gio sits under the Queen”; little windows into a relationship that was perhaps a hugely significant one to van Bronckhorst then and now.
To Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Jimmy Bell was surely the main constant; the familiar face upon his return and from the outside looking in, perhaps one of the most important figures to help him segue back into life at Rangers.
How the manager has handled Jimmy’s passing is befitting of the role he now occupies, and as the biggest game in 50 years approaches, it’s a position that Giovanni appears to be growing into faster than many expected.
Perhaps we all have Jimmy Bell in no small part to thank for this.
Rangers have confirmed a minute’s silence will be held at Ibrox against RB Leipzig to remember the legendary Ibrox kitman.
