Former Rangers and Holland defender Bert Konterman has urged supporters not to lose faith with this Gers side as he called up on the club’s leaders to stand up and be counted.
The former centre-half-turned-defensive-midfielder was speaking to the Sunday Post as the Ibrox club look to bounce back from the painful 2-0 defeat to Celtic.
“Steven Gerrard and the players need to believe in what they are doing and go with their plan,” said Konterman, now 48 and coaching Holland’s Under-20s.
“Yes, they have had a sore defeat to Celtic but there is plenty of time to recover. There is no need for anyone at the football club to panic.
“Players need to be brave and dynamic. Sometimes you must try the more difficult option.
“Success can’t be achieved by playing the safe option all the time.
“That’s when the leaders in the teams, such as Steve Davis and James Tavernier, need to continue to show the way.
“They are both top professionals and experienced footballers. They have the ability to put the team on the front foot.
“When I played for Rangers, I could look to the likes of Arthur Numan, Ronald de Boer and Barry Ferguson.
“Every now and again, you had to look for guidance and reassurance from them. For me, personally, it was great to have that.”
Konterman clearly believes that if Rangers are to be successful this season, then Northern Irishman Steven Davis and Yorkshireman James Tavernier will be essential.
Davis in particular – who’s been recognised by Northern Irish figures as he prepares to reach a record 113th appearance for the country [Daily Mail] – is a real fulcrum of the Rangers side.
More than that, he’s won things with Rangers before.
But for Konterman the message here is simple – there’s a long way to go yet, but the club can scarcely afford any more slip-ups.
