Ange Postecoglou admits Giovanni van Bronckhorst could have ended up with a Rangers statute rather than the sack.
The Dutchman was given his marching orders at Ibrox last year before former coach Michael Beale swept in to take over the hot-seat after Rangers found themselves spiralling in the league. It came after receiving the tag of the worst-ever Champions League group stage team under Van Bronckhorst's command with defeats to St Johnstone and draws to Livingston and St Mirren setting the tone for his downfall.
Postecoglou's side secured two heavy victories over his ex-rival in the Old Firm derbies but Van Bronckhorst did knock Celtic out of the Scottish Cup that Rangers eventually won the last time the two sides met at Hampden ahead of this weekend's Viaplay Cup final.
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When quizzed on Gio's team at Rangers and the difference between him and Beale, Postecoglou admitted things would have been very different for the Dutchman had he lifted the Europa League but says Beale has the 'belief' factor back.
He said: “Michael has changed the way they play, gone back to a system and a style that probably suited the players that were there before. It’s been an easy transition for him and I think his players took a little bit of comfort from that.
"To be fair to Gio, he was a whisker away from having an historic year. He won a trophy, finished second in the league and got to the final of the Europa League. You change a couple of those things and they’re building statues to that guy. It’s a fine line.
“They were a very good side last year too. And they continue that this year. Whenever you change manager, particularly mid-season, it’s hard. But with Michael’s familiarity with the club and the players themselves, they got a bit of comfort and, although it was change, it was change that they knew and would suit them.
“They’re playing with more belief and you can see that in the consistency of the results.”
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