Back at the start of December, there was some apprehension amongst the Rangers support as to what early impact Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have.
A few weeks later and all that remains is absolute admiration.
It has been a dream start for Gio as manager at Ibrox with very little cause for complaint. The only downside has been the fact that the festive period has been curtailed on the pitch, with delays to the the games to take on Aberdeen and Celtic.
As it is, today’s routine win over St Mirren brings the curtain down on the campaign for the first half of the season as well as the calendar year of 2021. This point provides the perfect chance to reflect on the initial stages of the Dutchman’s reign.
GvB should also be very pleased with his own impact, assisted by his backroom team.
9 games played.
7 Premiership wins, 2 further unbeaten games in Europe.
17 goals scored, only 2 conceded.
Gio! 🟠https://t.co/vJeEWVjpzT
— Graeme Hanna (@graeme818) December 26, 2021
The only goals conceded across nine games were away to Livingston and Lyon – something that would have been very unlikely under Steven Gerrard, given how things had gone up until the change in management.
GvB and his coaches including Roy Makaay and Dave Vos deserve big credit and recognition for the subtle changes they have made to return the Scottish champions to the mean machine that they were in defence last season. Combined with a new dynamic in attack, this Rangers side is firing on all cylinders, with a promise of more to come.
Now the Winter break takes hold in the Scottish Premiership, with the next action coming on January 18th in the rescheduled game against Aberdeen. By that time, transfer window activity will be underway with likely incomings and departures to follow. It promises to be an intriguing month ahead at Ibrox.
You get the feeling that Giovanni van Bronckhorst is only just beginning.
The record in full so far: