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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Graeme Souness promises Rangers it's 'not a long way back' to catch Celtic as he urges punters to back Gio

Rangers icon Graeme Souness believes Giovanni Van Bronckhorst is capable of sparking a fightback which leads to Scottish Premiership title glory.

The dark clouds are circling around Ibrox after a gloomy run before the World Cup break which leaves them nine points behind champions Celtic. But throw in the towel? Souness isn't having it, however, he is acutely aware results must change and victory over Ange Postecoglou's side on January 2 is a necessity. Van Bronckhorst appears set to get the chance to reverse his side's fortunes and the club icon insists the Dutchman must make sure he knows his dressing room inside out as he seeks a title comeback.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said: "Of course there's a way back. It's not a long way back, it's beating Celtic next time out. There are three Old Firm games - win those and it'd be a different picture. I am never comfortable talking about a manager losing their job. I know how tough it is to be a manager, I know how tough it is to manage in this city and Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have known that coming into it. Now is the time where he'll be finding out what he's got in his dressing room. Who motivates the motivator?

"All the spotlight comes on you because you're second and that's when you have to be big - you have to stand up, be counted and play your way out of it. It's not always about managers. The players have to stand up and be counted. This is a time you want your leaders in the dressing room."

Rangers supporters have been left have been left miffed by both performances and displays amid the worst ever Champions League group stage and dropped points to Livingston, St Johnstone and St Mirren in recent weeks.

He added: "Be patient. I know it is unlikely, but there's a chance. If the fans turn up in a negative mindset, that can only hurt the players. Stick with your team, stick with the manager."

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