Charlie Nicholas reckons the Rangers board will show patience with Giovanni van Bronckhorst and he WON'T be sacked.
The Dutchman is under increased pressure after a string of poor results and performances. They've dropped home points to Livingston, lost to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park and shared the spoils with St Mirren in Paisley in a run that has left them trailing Ange Postecoglou and his Celtic side by nine points at the top of the Premiership.
The World Cup winter break is now in full swing with Rangers' next competitive game not until December 15. This period will allow the Light Blues to regroup, get injured players back and do plenty of work on the training pitch for the second half of the season. Nicholas concedes Van Bronckhorst and co won't catch the champions now but they still have the chance of Champions League next season, with two places up for grabs.
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He has labelled the up coming period as the 'ultimate test' for the Rangers board as they decide the fate of the 47-year-old - who celebrates one-year in the dugout this Friday.
Speaking to the Express, he said: "Rangers won't catch Celtic in the title race but that shouldn't spell the end for Giovanni van Bronckhorst. I think Ibrox chiefs will show a bit more patience. Rangers can still get back into the Champions League next season with there being two slots available again.
"I can't see them qualifying automatically by winning the league because at nine points the gap is already too big. Van Bronckhorst might get some of his injured players back after the break, but I just can't see them catching Celtic. This is now the ultimate test for the Rangers board. Are they going to give Van Bronckhorst the opportunity to sort things out?
"Do they back him or sack him? The good thing for them is that the club seems to be in a lot better position financially. They have paid off Mike Ashley and other debts and are now looking at more long-term projects on the transfer front.
"They didn't gamble by spending big going into the Champions League but at the same time they brought in a lot of money with player sales and qualification to the group stage.
"It is clear they spent on stopping Celtic's 10-in-a-row and since then they have been paying off that debt."
He added: "I have heard people say he is too nice a guy. I don't believe that is an issue because you can be a good guy and a good manager. You also have to remember Van Bronckhorst led Rangers to the Europa League final so if he was to leave then his stock would still be high.
"Situations such as Kent, Morelos and results have left him staring down the barrel just now. You would have thought in Van Bronckhorst's time his team would have an identity but it doesn't. It is running on empty and needs rebuilt.
"I accept there have been injuries to a number of key players and that has left the team short and struggling. Ianis Hagi, Connor Goldson, Ryan Jack, Filip Helander and Kemar Roofe will all be fit.
"That is just about half a team that starts. I think once the manager has a near full-strength squad that is when he really should be judged."
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