The 10 games that de fined Gio’s Ibr ox reign

IN Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s relatively short tenure at Ibrox, the Dutchman oversaw many significant moments across all competitions. He was a victim of circumstance and timing as much as he was a conspirator in his own downfall.

A lack of momentum or ability to convince amongst the unique demands of the Scottish Premiership would prove to be too much, a step too far for the Rangers support and ultimately, the hierarchy at the club.

To his credit, he ended a domestic hoodoo by lifting the Scottish Cup, a first in 11 years in terms of the other two significant trophies up for grabs. In addition to that, he came close to immortality in club folklore with the feat of getting to the Europa League Final last season.

Just seven months on from that high watermark, the sense of over- achievement is even more remarkable. All done in the end without a recognised striker, van Bronckhorst’s team came so close to glory but ultimately it was not to be. The hangover from the scorching Seville sun lingers, in relation to the core of the squad currently toiling on the pitch.

Here are 10 games that defined the manager’s Ibrox reign.

Rangers 2 Sparta Prague 0 – November 25, 2021

Just days after van Bronckhorst sat with only a watching brief at Hampden as the team were emptied out of the League Cup by Hibs at the semi- final stage, a response was required. With the upheaval caused by Steven Gerrard’s exit to Aston Villa, the players had to come out of their shells to obtain a result against the Czech side to ensure qualification for the Europa League knock- out stages, this would be his first assignment.

A 2- 0 scoreline was secured thanks to an Alfredo Morelos double, the second of which came gift- wrapped in the 2nd half from a Sparta defender and an attempted howler of a chipped pass across the edge of the box. That game set the tone for an early encouraging spell under van Bronckhorst as well as laying the foundations for the journey to the edge of glory in Europe.

Ross County 3 Rangers 3 – January 29, 2022

This was a Highland fling to forget and the start of a few days of torment for van Bronckhorst and the team. It was this game in which Rangers’ title credentials began to truly unravel with further disappointment not too far away as the team let the title retention bid falter.

Last year had ended brightly on the back of seven consecutive Premiership wins. After the re- start, following the winter break that was brought forward, a 1- 1 Pittodrie stalemate was only the start of what was to come. Next up was a narrow win over Livingston then this fateful fixture in Dingwall. It was a day to forget for Allan McGregor, in particular, with the veteran keeper arguably at fault for two goals, whilst Calvin Bassey’s error allowed

County’s second. Despite Rangers pulling ahead at 3- 2 to seemingly save the day, it ended late on a downer with the hosts securing an equaliser from a messy defensive effort to clear a corner.

Celtic 3 Rangers 0 – February 2, 2022

The night the tide turned as Rangers were blown away by their fierce rivals. It was 3- 0 by half- time, end of story, game over. Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic had set down a marker with no response in return. Feeble, weak, timid – this showing was everything that previous strong performances at Parkhead had not been.

Worse would follow subsequently but in a game that really mattered, van Bronckhorst’s team were deservedly beaten in this Old Firm derby.

Rangers 1 Celtic 2 – April 2, 2022

This was the game that realistically ended any remaining hopes that Rangers could force a title challenge. Six games remained after this defeat but Celtic’s six- point advantage would prove to be too much.

Crucial points had been squandered in February against Dundee United and Motherwell, meaning that this derby clash was a must- win for Rangers. An opener was scored by Aaron Ramsey but that advantage was shortlived.

Celtic responded immediately to equalise before scoring another just before half- time and that’s how it finished. Rangers didn’t have enough quality or incision to get the required result on what felt like a defining day. It could have ended with both teams level on points but instead, a six- point deficit was installed.

Rangers 3 RB Leipzig 1 – May 5, 2022

Arguably, van Bronckhorst’s greatest night as Rangers manager. This game had everything in terms of famous European nights under the lights at Ibrox. It started brightly in more ways than one, with participation in continental competition in Spring not a common feat for Rangers. On 19 minutes James Tavernier converted which was followed shortly

after by a controlled Glen Kamara finish. Leipzig’s narrow lead from the first leg had been wiped out but the drama was only getting started.

In some ways, the comprehensive win over Borussia Dortmund in the Last- 32 would be overshadowed by this further German scalp but the greater stage and the anticipation speaks for itself. The downing of Dortmund will remain one of the greatest away wins in Europe, as well as the qualification back at Ibrox in the 2- 2 draw but more was to come in the Europa League run.

Rangers left it late to put Leipzig to the sword with Christopher Nkunku levelling the tie on aggregate. Ibrox was on a knife edge and progression was on the brink but John Lundstram slammed home and the stadium erupted. Delirium on the pitch and in the stands. To Sevilla, Rangers were on their way.

Eintracht Frankfurt 1 Rangers 1 ( Lost 5- 4 on penalties) – May 18, 2022

Rangers learned the hard way that you get nothing for coming very close to glory. So near yet so far. In the searing heat of Seville, neither team truly showed their best but it was Rangers who struck first. Joe Aribo provided a moment of magic and the supporters dared to dream.

The equaliser followed then a long tentative game was played out with both sides having chances. The penalties came and we all know the rest.

The run to the Europa League final was a great achievement, with many fine memories to last. Success would have put van Bronckhorst and the team on a pedestal like the Barcelona Bears of 1972 but instead, only a fond footnote is made, to go along with the runners- up records of 1961, 1967 and 2008.

PSV Eindhoven 0 Rangers 1 – August 24, 2022

Champions League group stage football was secured with a fine performance in Eindhoven following the 2- 2 first leg at Ibrox. This came after a fraught opener to the season away to Union SaintGilloise. The team recovered from that danger but it would be a sign of more to come.

The win in the manager’s homeland appeared to mark a new milestone for the club. It was joyous, it felt great and proper to be back amongst Europe’s elite. However, a chastening group draw and no signings to follow would bring things back down to earth. Van Bronckhorst was the man to steer the club back to the Champions League but it would only expose the significant fault lines in the current Rangers squad. Shortlived success and a step too far.

Celtic 4 Rangers 0 – September 3, 2022

This Old Firm defeat really hurt. Lessons had not been learned from the 3- 0 reverse back in February, it was another hopeless capitulation with the game out of sight by half- time. It could and probably should have been more, but Rangers left Parkhead on the wrong end of another heavy scoreline. Another 4- 0 followed just days later in Amsterdam as the Champions League campaign started as it would mean to go on.

Van Bronckhorst’s Rangers had been outclassed, outfought and out- thought by Postecoglou’s Celtic. Many fans had already seen enough with a five- point gap established at this early stage.

Rangers 1 Liverpool 7 – October 12, 2022

A night of ignominy and embarrassment as Rangers were humbled at home in what was the club’s biggest European defeat ever.

Jurgen Klopp’s formidable team completed a back- to- back double over the Ibrox club but this was much worse than that. They struck a hammer blow that Rangers would not recover from. On the night, Scott Arfield struck an opener but that would be as good as it got. Liverpool got a soft equaliser soon after before the floodgates opened shortly after half- time with a hapless Rangers swallowed up in the deluge. An unacceptable collapse meant five goals were conceded in just 21 minutes.

St Johnstone 2 Rangers 1 – November 6, 2022

This was the first of what had to be three wins in the space of a week, a nine- point pickup to go into the World Cup break.

Instead, a toothless Rangers conspired to lose in Perth and the aim of maximum points would only result in four. A subsequent narrow home win over Hearts was followed by a drab and ponderous display in Paisley as St Mirren held van Bronckhorst’s team to a 1- 1 draw.

Yes, injuries again had hampered the team but there would be no real spark, no desire, determination or inspiration to do what was needed. This signalled a new low, another disappointment and one too many to sign off this stage of the season and ultimately, the end of Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Ibrox.