Rangers chief called old pal Koeman before van Bronckhorst appointed

Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson revealed he sought the counsel of Ronald Koeman before Giovanni van Bronckhorst was appointed as new Gers boss.

The Govan club confirmed the 46-year-old former Light Blues player will become Steven Gerrard’s successor subject to receipt of a work permit.

Van Bronckhorst worked under fellow Dutch manager Koeman at Feyenoord before stepping up to become boss while Wilson worked with Koeman at Southampton.

And when it came to getting some thoughts about the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Netherlands player ratified, he made the call to Koeman and got the expected assurances.

Wilson said: “I wouldn’t say he played a part in luring him but he is certainly someone I spoke to about Gio

because I knew how much respect he had for him.

“So to be honest, it was a phone call I was making when I probably already knew a lot of the answers.

“Gio is somebody that Ronald always spoke highly of and someone I keep in regular contact with, someone whose opinions I would trust wholeheartedly as well.

“He is a great man himself, he has high standards and when he gives me positive insight into someone else then I can take that as something I trust a lot.”

Van Bronckhorst, who won two league titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup during his three seasons as a player at Rangers, will be in the stand for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Hibernian at Hampden Park tomorrow.

Jake Doyle-Hayes has become the fourth player this week to extend his contract with Hibernian.

The 22-year-old Irish midfielder initially moved to Easter Road in the summer on a twoyear deal.

However, after making a positive impression on Jack Ross in his early months with Hibs, he has now struck an agreement to commit his future to the club until 2025.

Gio van Bronckhorst.