Is there an injury update?
We only have the injuries of those who are already out. So no new injuries from the game against Hibs. I have the same squad to choose from since last Wednesday.
Has the defence been a major focus since you arrived?
It starts from defending well and being very solid. Not only the defenders but it starts from the striker. If you can avoid the goals against you we always create chances to score so we will make better chances and win games. We only lost the one goal against Livingston and in the other games we kept a zero. It’s very important to keep a zero in the games.
Can we expect to see Ryan Jack soon?
Ryan will be in the squad tomorrow. He hasn’t played a lot of games in the last six or seven months. I know he’s an important player in the squad and I want him back as soon as possible because he can give good things to the playing squad. We know he needs to build up his minutes so hopefully next week I can give him some more so he can be back to full fitness.
What’s the situation with Connor Goldson’s contract?
I spoke to Ross about it today and he’s still talking with his agent. So there's nothing new to say. We are still on speaking terms with the agent so we have to wait.
Has he been offered a new deal?
I think they are talking. I saw reports he rejected the offer but that is untrue. They are still talking so hopefully we can have some more news in the coming weeks or months.
Is Leon Balogun close to a possible return?
Yes, Leon will train on Sunday. We have to see his fitness in the coming days but he’s a player we will have back really soon.
Nnamdi Ofoborh has been out since the summer, is there an update on his progress at all?
He is still being tested so I spoke with him when I arrived. We just have to wait to see the doctors and the results then we can go from there. So far nothing is decided.
Have you spoken to Connor or other players who are coming to the end of their deals?
Not yet. It’s still the first couple of weeks so for me the most important thing was to know the squad and players and win games. For me, that’s the most important thing and I got to know the squad a lot better than when I arrived and of course in the coming days and weeks I will also speak to the players about their futures. So far I didn’t because my focus was 100 percent on winning the games.
Are you tempted to bring any players out on loan back to the club?
We have to see how the coming weeks develop. Of course, the transfer window will open. We are discussing what has to be done but nothing has been decided yet on bringing players in defence.
Do we see the January transfer window being a busy window in terms of players coming in and players going out?
I don’t know yet. It’s a difficult one, as a coach I’ve had many transfer windows, it’s hard to predict what will happen because anything can happen. The most important thing is to be prepared for whatever comes, that’s where all the work will have to be done until the transfer window opens. It can go either way but hopefully at the end of the window we have a better squad than when the transfer window opens maybe.
Are you optimistic that Connor Goldson will sign a new contract?
I don’t have a clue. I’ve been here for only a couple of weeks, it’s always the case when you have players going out of contract at the end of the season. Maybe when I talk to Connor myself in the coming days and weeks I have a clearer view on that but so far I don’t have anything to say on that matter.
🎙️ PRESS CONFERENCE | Giovanni van Bronckhorst spoke to the media ahead of tomorrow's match against Dundee. pic.twitter.com/35Q33rULcZ
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 3, 2021
Would you find VAR to be helpful to be introduced to the Scottish game?
Yes, I’m for VAR. You can have situations in games where it is very difficult for the ref to see to make decisions so VAR is there to help the ref which is very important. I’m from Holland, I think VAR came from there and it’s fair to have the VAR for both sides really so I’m for VAR next season.
Do you think it would be helpful if we introduced full-time officials in Scotland?
The last time I played here was 2001 so I knew the refs then. Of course, now coming in for a couple of games, I know the officials in Scotland aren’t full time. If you are a full-time referee or whatever job you have you can fully concentrate on your job. I think sometimes it’s not easy for refs because they have their normal jobs and have to officiate games so in an ideal world, of course, and if you speak to the refs as well they would feel much better if they could have it as their full-time job because they can do what they love. For me it’s always better to have full-time officials.
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