The low points of Van Bronckhorst’s reign

Celtic 3- 0 Rangers Premiership February 2, 2022

Just days after a costly draw in Dingwall, things got even worse for Rangers. This was a lamentable derby showing as a Reo Hatate double and Liel Abada strike saw Celtic race into a commanding lead and take pole position in the Premiership.

In the end, Rangers were fortunate that the margin of the defeat wasn’t even more embarrassing. The manner of it certainly was, however, as the unfathomable combination of an attacking team and defensive setup got what it deserved.

Rangers would never recover from the blow at Parkhead as they were outfought and outclassed and Van Bronckhorst and his players were under huge pressure as supporters saw their dreams of back- to- back titles squandered away from Ibrox.

Celtic 4- 0 Rangers Premiership September 3, 2022

This was the worst Old Firm outing of the lot for Van Bronckhorst and it was followed by the annihilation in Amsterdam as Ajax put another four by his hapless side.

Rangers failed to learn their lesson at Parkhead and were brushed aside as Liel Abada bagged a brace and Jota and David Turnbull also netted.

The individual and collective mistakes were unforgivable from a Rangers perspective.

This defeat put Van Bronckhorst’s side five points behind and saw many fans all- but write off their hopes of a successful title bid. The comprehensive defeat was hard to stomach, but the meek, passive way in which Rangers went down hurt supporters even more as Van Bronckhorst was placed under significant scrutiny once again.

Rangers 1- 7 Liverpool Champions League October 12, 2022

It all started so well but this was a night that quickly ran away from Rangers as Van Bronckhorst saw his team swept aside by Liverpool for the second successive week. Rangers were fortunate to only lose 2- 0 at Anfield, but the Reds made sure that their dominance showed this time after Scott Arfield’s 17th minute strike opened the scoring.

Roberto Firmino bagged a brace either side of a Darwen Nunez effort but the humiliation was inspired by Mohamed Salah as he netted a record- breaking six minute hat- trick. Harvey Elliott rounded off the scoring as Ibrox was left stunned. Supporters were speechless and Van Bronckhorst could offer no excuses or reasons for such a woeful performance. Already a dead man walking in the eyes of some fans, this was a defeat the Dutchman was never going to be able to recover from.