GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst has claimed that Ryan Jack was the best player on the park in the second half of the Old Firm game at Parkhead last night and insisted that Rangers can still be crowned champions this season. 

Scotland midfielder Jack replaced Glen Kamara at half-time when Van Bronckhorst, whose team had produced a dire first-half display and was trailing Celtic 3-0, made a triple substitution.

The 29-year-old prevented the Ibrox club from conceding any more goals during his time on the park and came close to netting himself when he struck the crossbar with a long-range shot late on. 

Van Bronckhorst, whose team surrendered top spot in the cinch Premiership following their midweek loss, was encouraged by the showing of a player who is working his way back to full fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“Ryan made a big difference,” he told Rangers TV. “I know what Ryan can bring to the team. I know in what circumstances he was in for many months with his injury.

“But I’m glad he was able to play. I think 45 minutes was the max because of the injuries he had. But for me he was the best man on the pitch in the second half.

“Not only his performance, but his attitude, his coaching, his motivation. I think he changed the game for us.”

The Dutchman, who succeeded Steven Gerrard as manager back in November, admitted he was bitterly disappointed with the all-round Rangers performance and heavy reverse.

However, he is adamant that the Scottish champions, who could hand a debut to new loan signing Aaron Ramsey against Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday, can put the result behind them and retain their title come May.

“It’s always hard to take a loss when you play Celtic away for everyone at this club,” he said. “But as a player I’ve played many games there. I lost some games as well with big differences. But eventually in that year we became champions.

“It’s important for us to recover from this defeat and make sure we go ahead with the challenge we have this year and become champions.

“We’ve lost one Old Firm but we’ve won the other. That shows how many important games there are also in the league.

We just have to pick ourselves up, stay together and bounce back on Sunday.”