Simon Jordan believes Giovanni van Bronckhorst has a “lot to prove” as he insisted Celtic have a stronger manager in Ange Postecoglou. The radio pundit was speaking as after admitting his pre-match prediction that Rangers would get a “hiding” was proven to be spot on.
The former Crystal Palace chief reckons the Dutchman has come up short domestically despite excelling in Europe where he led Rangers to the Europa League Final last season and into the Champions League group stage this season.
But he blew a Scottish Premiership lead after succeeding Steven Gerrard to surrender the Scottish Premiership title and now trails the Hoops by five points after six games ahead of their Champions League trip to face Ajax and a trip to Aberdeen in the league on Saturday. Celtic were 3-0 up at half time in Van Bronckhorst’s first game at Parkhead as Gers boss and history repeated itself but on Saturday they added a late fourth goal.
Jordan said on talkSPORT: “There’s a lot for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to prove. He’s done very well in Europe but not so well domestically. They did exactly to them as they did to them in a previous game at Parkhead except they added an extra goal to it and kept going in the second half.
“ Celtic are just in a slightly different place at this moment in time. They’ve got a stronger manager and domestically Rangers are short. There is a difference. You get better opportunities in European football to do certain things. I said they would get a doing. I didn’t say it would be nip and tuck. I said they would get a doing and a doing is what they got.”
Ibrox legend Graeme Souness was a fellow guest on Jim White’s lunchtime show and admitted he was “sad” at how his old side were swatted aside. He said: “I’m slightly surprised. I fancied them. They’ve had some fabulous results away from home, albeit in European football. But more importantly the manager has played in that game and knows how difficult it is to play in those games.
“The last thing you would hear from a manager and staff as a player going out the door - not just in the Old Firm but up and down the country - is ‘make sure you start right’. And if ever there’s a game you have to start right it’s Rangers going to Parkhead. They come after you and are down your throat from minute one.
“You have to stand up to that and deal with it and hopefully get through it. They went there last season and were 3-0 down in no time and got walloped again. It’s sad for Rangers.”
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