One of the criticisms of Giovanni van Bronckhorst is that he isn’t emotional enough, and yet, we have seen plenty to suggest that he lets the players know when he isn’t happy with what they are producing.
Earlier this season we saw Gio lose it with Ryan Kent as the winger switched off at a quick free-kick against Celtic, something that the manager had warned his team to be prepared for, and yet, he was too busy arguing with the referee to do his job.
Footage of the derby clearly caught Van Bronckhorst going off his head at Kent in a show of passion that, perhaps, he should maybe display more of.
Against Hearts, Kent was praised but the manager for his second-half performance and how he responded, however, The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell also noticed that, in the first half, Gio was far from happy with what he was seeing:
“Kent really trying Van Bronckhorst’s patience on the touchline. Twice he’s cut in and had a gap to shoot but has overcomplicated it. Then he tried to shoot when he didn’t even try to work a yard. Don’t know if that will ever change, though.”
I think Kent was trying everyone’s patience if we’re being brutally honest.
Gio urged him to be more direct, be quicker when attacking and it paid off. Not only was Kent’s approach key to scoring the winning goal but he caused Hearts numerous problems.
He’s clearly short of confidence but we can’t afford to carry an attacker who is shot-shy or slowing down good opportunities, he’s old enough to know better by now and shouldn’t take for his manager to tell him how to do his job – no wonder he was trying Gio’s patience.