Former Rangers star Peter Lovenkrands reckons Rangers fans are split over if Gio van Bronckhorst is the right man to take the club forward.
However, he believe the club must continue to splash the cash to reach Champions League level after the humbling 7-1 defeat to Liverpool, which ended any hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the competition. Van Bronckhorst will now hope to keep their European adventure going beyond the group stage by overtaking Ajax in third spot to earn an Europa League playoff spot.
Former Ibrox hero Lovenkrands insists the title becomes the focus following the Champions League disappointment with Rangers trailing Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic by two points, and insists the fans and board must remember the run to the Europa League final last term that Van Bronckhorst achieved. The Dane reckons that board will now have to take responsibility on plugging the financial gap between Europe's elite and the Light Blues next term.
Lovenkrands told Sky Sports News: "There will always be pressure, no matter what, at Rangers. It doesn't matter if you are losing all the games or winning at Rangers, there always will be.
"He knows that from being there as a player himself. It was fantastic what he did last year, getting to the Europe League final and almost winning it.
"This season you are in the Champions League and have stepped it up. It's a massive step up, and for me the most important thing is what the club do now with the money from the Champions League and the investment they need to do.
"They have done the step from Europa League to Champions League, now they need to build an even better squad and build an even better squad for next year. Then they can compete properly because this season the club have not been able to compete with the elite of Europe.
"The next thing will be about doing that. If Van Bronckhorst gets the time to do that, then that will be what it's about. There is still time to go in the league, it's two points. But yes Celtic have been dominant in the individual games, but that is what they have to focus on now."
When pushed on if the Rangers fans are backing Van Bronckhorst, he went on: "It's interesting. I was at the game up in the stand and it was a mixed reaction. A lot of fans left the stadium early and there was a lot of talking in the stands.
"There was also the opposite, there was a lot of nice things. I think it's a mixed bag at the moment. I think it's 50/50 after yesterday's performance.
"It doesn't matter who it's against, losing 7-1 will always get a negative response. It could be in the heat of the moment."
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