Giovanni van Bronckhorst insists his Rangers players set the standard with their 4-1 thumping of Aberdeen as the pressure eased on the under-fire Dutchman with their fifth Scottish Premiership win in their last six.
The Light Blues were in rampant form as they roared back from their midweek defeat to Napoli in the Champions League, but had to show character to come from behind after Connor Barron's first senior goal for Aberdeen gave Jim Goodwin's men the lead at Ibrox.
Antonio Colak and John Lundstram netted before the break with James Tavernier bagging a third before the captain missed from the penalty spot after VAR confirmed a handball, but substitute Alfredo Morelos completed the rout. Three points were a must but crucially the display was much more positive, particularly after the drab draw against Livingston seven days earlier as they go into their final Champions League clash against Ajax on Tuesday.
However, the victory came at a cost with Ridvan Yilmaz and Ben Davies both going off. Van Bronckhorst was still delighted with Fashion Sakala singled out for praise and he said: “I expect that every game we play. It’s not always easy to reach this level against certain opponents but we showed it from the first minute. It was important to start well and we were really aggressive and positive.
“You want that every game. It’s the preparation we have and our structure was really good which is why we were able to play really quick in our passing but also to attack the spaces they left, especially our wingers. We did it really well and I’m pleased with the overall performance.
“The crowd was with us the whole game. We started well, we started positive going forward, aggressive. That’s the way you have to start. Even after the goal against us we still showed the desire to go forward and create chances. We could have been 3-1 or 4-1 up in the first half but we kept the momentum going in the second half and we need this performance every game.
“It gives you confidence. We have had disappointing results in the Champions League but only dropped two league points last week after a good run and we want to continue that. This was a good performance against an in-form Aberdeen side and we didn’t give them any chance.
“Fashion was very good. He gave us the threat we needed throughout he whole game. It’s about reaching the standards and consistently in performances. For Fashion as well, if we have our winger really in the game and aggressive and going forward then you can see what we can create. We had 36 shots which his a lot against Aberdeen so we have to keep improving that and create every game.
“Ridvan felt his hamstring so we had to get him off. Ben had a moment in the beginning of the game but could play on but I didn’t want to take any risks so we will assess him. Ridvan will be out for a couple of weeks. But I don’t know about Ben.”
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