Former Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst had concerns over the lack of investment in the Ibrox squad this summer – but insisted he could turn their form around.
Insider Marcel van der Kraan has detailed his conversation with Van Bronckhorst just days before the axe fell, including the Dutchman's final pitch to remain as boss when the Scottish Premiership campaign resumed against Hibs on December 15 after the World Cup break. He has claimed the sacked gaffer had serious concerns over the lack of investment in the first-team following the departures of key men Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey.
Rangers spent £12.8m on their summer recruits to prepare their squad for the Champions League group stage and their bid to bring the title back to Ibrox. Van der Kraan insists his pal could have turned it around and followed in the footsteps of his Feyenoord rebuild that led the club to an Eredivise title victory.
He told Sky Sports: "Well, I spoke to him just before he was actually sacked and he was still very hopeful that he would be in charge because he felt if he could get a couple of investments with some new players, some strengthening of the side he could turn things round. He has been in that position before with Feyenoord and a year later he made them champions with just a little budget.
“He said to me: ‘Look, when we sold all the best players last summer, Aribo and Bassey for £20m, a lot of money came in, but the money that came back into the team were very limited’. I think this is where he has been a victim of his own success; having taken them to Europa League final, won the cup and having to work with a small group of players at a top, top level.”
The insider then added details of the final conversation between the Dutchman and the Ibrox powerbrokers. When Van der Kraan was asked if Van Bronckhorst still believed he could turn it round, he said: "Absolutely.
“He had a discussion with the directors and they asked him that question and he said, 'Yes, I can turn it round'. He was very confident.
"And he has turned it around in the past in Holland as I said. He was looking forward to coming back."
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