Rangers' sudden improvement under Giovanni van Bronckhorst should have the rest running scared - Four Lads

The Giovanni Van Bronckhorst show rolls on and that’s three victories from three and huge wins at that. There was lots of positivity from Sparta at home as Rangers created a lot of chances on his first outing, with Euro qualification the big plus undoubtedly.

Then Livingston away, always a hard place to go, was a really promising performance even if we had to wait for the third goal. The truth is it was a really strong performance and we had lots of possession and chances to be more clinical. At a difficult ground like the Tony Macaroni, that’s always a good thing.

Hibs at Easter Road was always the biggest challenge however and only ten days since Hampden, there was revenge to be had. It took a late flash of genius from Ryan Kent to win a spot-kick which Kemar Roofe expertly tucked away. The most vital of three points were banked and to use an old saying definitely applicable here, the kind of victory that is vital come trophy time in May. It wasn’t the most fluent of performances but Rangers were considered and patient enough to wait whilst restricting Hibs to very little.

So what has been the early impact of van Bronckhorst?

READ MORE: How Rangers' substitutes raised standards and why Kemar Roofe looks destined to provide Feyenoord echo

Well, it’s actually been extremely noticeable even to a normal fan and non-tactical expert. Rangers are much more disciplined and considered in their approach, most notably the full-backs are no longer playing so carefree and high up. The midfield two play together tightly and the wide men stay wide. It’s a more defensive shape but given Rangers were shipping goals for fun on Giovanni’s arrival, one goal conceded in three with two clean sheets represents a promising start.

Allan McGregor has kept goal well in those three games and while you can't play those saves down, he has been less tested because Rangers have looked a lot more robust. There hasn’t been a lot of chances given away and at Easter Road both Nisbett and Boyle were largely ineffectual.

Both full-backs play a big part in that but so too does Calvin Bassey and Connor Goldson, both solid at centre back with the youngster especially excelling. The subtle difference is both are being disciplined in what they do and it mirrors the performance of the full-backs - it’s basics and safety first. Goldson didn’t have the best of games at Easter Road distribution wise and I’d like to see his stats for the number of times he gave the ball away but defensively he was excellent, indeed one incredible clearance helped preserve the zero the manager loves so dearly. They have been caught out once at Livingston and that trick hasn’t been repeated since.

So that’s an immediate change, a much more disciplined and rigid formation based on safety first. But it’s considered and I think that’s a vital word, it’s no longer all-out attack and Gio is banking on the fact our quality will always create, so if we keep one door shut the likelihood hood another will open.

Ryan Kent has produced three really positive performances wide left and easily could have bagged a few goals in these games. He’s got that position nailed on and the beauty of Ryan Kent is that he keeps going no matter what. If he fails in the dribble it doesn’t stop him next time trying again, if he shoots wide he bounces back and is always capable of winning things with his direct running.

The right-hand side remains a bit of a conundrum because Ianis Hagi doesn’t have that pace and is undoubtedly a 10. That will be a big piece of the jigsaw for the management and I have long since said this squad is unbalanced. It will be interesting to see if the next few games bring the opportunity for someone else because Rangers do have a few things they can try. Would Patterson be too defensive or could Scott Wright get an opportunity there?

The central midfield looks to be Kamara and one other and that one other seems best suited to be Scott Arfield at present. That’s because he does something not many of our other midfielders do and that is he runs from deep beyond others. Twice against Hibs his runs brought rewards, a chest pass from Roofe giving him the opportunity to strike at goal and then the second when his pass found Kent to win the penalty. Add that to his goal on Sunday at Livi and he’s done his chances of game time no harm at all. His substitute partner in crime Kemar Roofe can also throw his hat in the ring for a start as his performance was also a big plus.

Alfredo Morelos' performance level remains an issue in this side and Roofe may fancy his chances at leading the line. A lot of people were quick to slate my article which challenged Alfredo’s contribution but a good performance followed by two substandard efforts highlights it was unfortunately correct. Against Livi and Hibs, Alfredo was deep and linking up more than leading the line as he did so well versus Sparta. It’s not his game and he won’t survive in the team doing as such because his contribution is tepid.

READ MORE: How Rangers are rediscovering 'the art of defending' under Giovanni van Bronckhorst

But the overall take from Giovanni’s start is one of promise. I think Rangers will be more considered and much more difficult to break down going forward. Relying on ball possession and working the opening more than overloading and going for it. There will be game plans and selections for each but no longer is anyone’s position safe. This squad is in a healthy position but also has lots of possibilities to change and develop how the manager may see it.

With so many out of contract, the potential is there for Gio to create the squad space for some new arrivals. If speculation is true he is already setting his sights high on some available European talent. With Dave Vos now in place as his assistant then he will have an eye on who is available and perhaps some of the rising talents of Dutch and European football. If targets are to be the standard of rumoured interest in Xavi Simons of PSG then we are in for an exciting team with Gio in charge.

Expect Rangers to be tough to beat, considered in their approach and dynamic when the time is right. What Gio has shown is early promise that he has the knowledge to know when to unleash the squad and how. 

The big tests keep coming, Dundee will be difficult as they have started to get results - then it’s Lyon and Hearts away. Tynecastle already becomes the biggest game of the season after the next biggest game of the season in Dundee on Saturday. That’s life at Rangers.

I’ve seen enough to be excited about the new management team but I’ve also seen enough to know they grasp what they are doing and probably more importantly, they know when to do it. The only thing that matters here is winning and as December continues that will be the sole thing on the management's mind.

As this team progresses under Giovanni it will get better, it will get more dynamic and it will have more flair. That should worry everyone else.