Van Bronckhorst warns Rangers players to maintain 'hunger'

BeSoccer 3 years ago 332
Rangers new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst. AFP

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has warned his Rangers squad that any player lacking "hunger" will find themselves working under a "tough manager".

Former Gers midfielder Van Bronckhorst was appointed in succession to Steven Gerrard following the Englishman's move to Premier League club Aston Villa.

Reigning champions Rangers are four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership but Van Bronckhorst witnessed their 3-1 defeat by Hibernian in a Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday.

The 46-year-old Dutchman played no part in that match, however, with his work permit not finalised until Monday morning.

Following the loss to Hibs, Rangers defender Connor Goldson said he felt the side had lost a bit of hunger since winning the Premiership.

Van Bronckhorst, however, made it clear at his official unveiling as manager at Ibrox on Monday that he would not tolerate a decline in standards.

"I expect that everyone is on board with me," he said. "It's my duty to prepare players for games. I will prepare them in their attitude, their hunger, whatever.

"For me as a coach and a player, I think the hunger has to come from within yourself. It starts with that. That would make it a lot easier as a coach.

"Being involved in football all my life, I know what needs to be done and what you have to do to be successful. That message I got across as a coach from when I started. I will keep doing that.

"If something or some player thinks otherwise, they will have a tough manager."

 

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G. Van Bronckhorst