Ibrox manager tells players to learn fast
game. You know, the longer the “nil” is on the scoreboard, the more you can grow in the game.
‘It wasn’t the case. I am disappointed with the result and the goals we got against us. Also the fourth one in the second half.’
Van Bronckhorst continued: ‘It was a repeat of the last game in February with quickly-taken throw-ins and free-kicks. We knew that was one of their strengths.
‘When you concede early goals like that, you make them stronger and make it more difficult for yourselves.
‘We prepared for these moments that they were able to be dangerous at and we weren’t ready.
‘You want to play a good game and can always have goals against you, but not in this manner.
‘I don’t know what it is. It is very difficult for me to say. We weren’t alert. There were three goals we could have avoided.’
Rangers are now five points behind — with Celtic also 17 ahead in terms of goal difference — and Van Bronckhorst is clear that what unfolded yesterday will not be tolerated in the future.
‘It is a gap. Of course,’ he said. ‘We know we have lost five points so far in the season.
‘But there are still a lot of games to be played and three against Celtic, so we have to move on and get stronger and make sure those moments we
‘THESE ARE THE MOMENTS YOU REALLY NEED TO TAKE ON CHIN AND MOVE ON’
had today never happen again — no matter who you play.’
Van Bronckhorst takes his side to Amsterdam to meet Ajax in the first game of Champions League Group A, but insists the pain of an Old Firm defeat cannot be forgotten too quickly as his squad bid to make amends.
‘We have a big game on Wednesday, but you should feel the way you are feeling now. It is a big loss for us,’ he said.
‘You should feel the disappointment.
These are moments you have to take on the chin, learn from and move on, but it takes a little bit.
‘I am very disappointed in the performance. You never feel good when you lose, especially in big games.
‘We gifted two goals. We knew they were dangerous in the setpieces and we weren’t ready.’
Van Bronckhorst also urged his defence to be more focused on building from the back after seeing McLaughlin pass the ball straight to Turnbull for that final, humiliating Celtic goal.
‘In the second half, we were a bit better on the ball, but, then again, we gifted another goal,’ he said. ‘You have to recognise, in those moments when to build up and when not to build up.
‘We gave three goals away.’