Brian Laudrup’s remarks ‘stupid’

An unexpected war of words has cropped up relating to Rangers.

Former Gers star Laudrup recently criticised Giovanni van Bronckhorst for his body language on the touchline during his side’s poor run of form.

He said: “Van Bronckhorst has tried a lot of different things with his team and is still trying to find answers. I also look at his body language at times. Hands folded. Looking down.

“He doesn't look like a manager who is certain he can turn things around. It looks almost like he has given up a little bit.”

Now, the Dutchman has hit back. He said: “I have given up? I think that’s very easy and stupid thing to say from Brian. He knows the pressure is under.

“I know I get a lot of questions about my body language but I don’t think it’s anything about body language.

“It’s about what you bring to the players inside. I get many questions about how I should be different on the sidelines but I am me, I am me.

“I am not anyone else and the last thing we all need is people putting the pressure even higher by suggesting things which aren’t true. So, I totally disagree with him.”

Gio aware of sacking calls

Van Bronckhorst was simply asked if he was aware of the calls for him to be sacked.

His response was a reminder to everyone of the human element behind a football manager.

He said: “It’s only natural to be aware of it, I don’t live in a basement. So it’s obvious for everyone to see, myself as well, all I can do is focus on my performance with the team and to focus on winning games, that’s all that matters.

“I’m 47, I’ve been in football many years and know how it works so for me that’s not a problem.

“Of course, I can turn it around, otherwise I’m not sitting here.”

Allowing for some perspective

At the end of the day, football is only a game. We all know it deep down.

For fans, this can often be missed, there is no doubt of that. Even for those inside the game, there will be many you feel the same.

Van Bronckhorst insists that while there are difficult spells as a football manager, it is not a “tough” job when it is compared to some of the circumstances in the world at present.

He said: “Read the papers and see what is happening in the world. For me that is always been the case.

“I love my job and love being a coach. I love being here at the club.

“As I have said before, it’s not tough for me - it is not at all tough. Yes, it’s difficult but it’s not tough.

“Other people around the world have it tougher than me right now. I always put things into perspective when I look at my family.

“Some people have very tough moments in the world with the cost of living and everything else.

“It doesn’t mean I won’t give 100 prevent for the job, because I know it’s a difficult moment for all of us.

“We have to keep going and like any other manager in the world, if you don’t win games then it’s difficult.”

Defending the club’s recruitment

Much has been made of Rangers’ summer business, or lack of, from some quarters.

Simon Jordan worked that that Rangers had pocketed a windfall of around £15million from qualifying for the Champions League this season and all that comes with being in UEFA’s elite competition.

Those sort of figures rightly have fans questioning why more money was not spent during the summer, with the sales of Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo far outweighing the outlays spent to sign Antonio Colak and Ridvan Yilmaz.

But Van Bronckhorst insists the seven players he signed were good additions.

He said: “I think we have been on this topic for a couple of months now. If you look at the recruitment we’ve had you’ll see we brought some good players in, some experienced players.

“We have had some talents come in - Colak has done really well as top goalscorer in the league - so that, for me, has been a very good signing.

“Tom Lawrence was a great signing, with the way he started. Of course, he’s injured now.

“We have some young players who have come in, Malik has had to step up from the level he was used to in Bayern Munich B team. And he has done well as well.

“Ridvan came in and needed some time to get in, but we can all see the quality he brings. Now he has an injury as well.

“Rabbi Matondo has been in and out of the team but I think overall our recruitment is fine.”

Another injury issue for the first team

The manager revealed that Fashion Sakala will be out until after the World Cup break, which commences after Saturday’s games.

The Zambian has been the only creative spark in the team over the past few weeks.

Out from the cold, Van Bronckhorst brought him back into the team to try and inject some much-needed pace and directness to his attack.

However, in a blow before Rangers take on Hearts on Wednesday, Sakala has been ruled out. He will also miss out against St Mirren at the weekend.

Rangers’ injury woes continue, although it is not a long-term concern. GvB said: “Lowry is fit but not in the squad for tomorrow, Fashion has a minor muscle issue from Sunday and will be out for a week and back for sure after the World Cup.”