The wait goes on for anxious Rangers supporters with the latest report claiming that negotiations with Giovanni van Bronckhorst are centred around his potential backroom staff.
Whilst it appears that an agreement in principle is very close, the Dutchman will need to bring other coaches to Ibrox as well as support staff to replace the clear-out at first team level which followed Steven Gerrard’s exit to Aston Villa with the departures of Michael Beale, Gary McAllister, Tom Culshaw, Jordan Milsom as well as trusted doctor Mark Waller and senior analyst, Scott Mason.
With news on GvB eagerly anticipated, The Athletic has reported that the positive discussions are continuing to the next stage as the former Ranger ponders who will join him on his return to Ibrox:
“Talks between Rangers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst are ongoing with discussions over backroom staff the focus, The Athletic understands.”
“The former Feyenoord boss held talks on Saturday with the club and again on Tuesday as Rangers continue with the process of identifying a successor to Steven Gerrard.”
“Van Bronckhorst’s trusted assistant at Feyenoord Jean-Paul van Gastel, who was a team-mate for over a year when he broke through as a player in 1997, is in charge of Guangzhou City and would need to be released early to join up at Rangers.”
Dilemma
The most important thing right now, it that Ross Wilson and the power brokers at Ibrox make the right call with this appointment – as well as the run of fixtures that is coming immediately, there next few seasons ride on the decisions to be made this week.
Ideally, the new man will be in place for Sunday’s trip to Hampden if for nothing more than a symbolic inspiration for the players but with each passing hour, that looks more unlikely.
The importance of, and make up of the back-room staff cannot be understated as if Van Bronckhorst is to take on the job, he needs to have an able team in place to assist and support him in providing the required technical and tactical ability.
The wait goes on.