Chris Sutton has claimed that it’s ‘absolutely ridiculous’ that some Rangers fans could be calling for the sacking of Gio van Bronckhorst as manager, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
Over the weekend, Rangers were due to play Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, only for the game to be postponed following the death of the Queen.
A win against the Dons would have done the Gers the world of good because they have taken some serious hits of late.
After securing their passage to the group stages of the Champions League, von Bronckhorst was rightfully being lauded for his achievements.
But football can turn on its head like a flip of a coin, and after suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Celtic, the Gers followed that up by losing by the same scoreline to Ajax during their Champions League opener last week.
It’s the small matter of the current Serie A leaders, Napoli, up next for Gio, as former England striker Sutton had the following message for those questioning the Dutch legend.
“The problem with Glasgow is expectations,” said Sutton. “And because Rangers did so well in the Europa League last season, there is an expectation that they can compete in the Champions League. The Champions League is so unforgiving.
“Rangers didn’t play at the weekend against Aberdeen. People I know from the Rangers side are saying ‘well, if Rangers lost to Aberdeen at the weekend, then the fans would really turn on van Bronckhorst and be calling for his sacking’.
“I am saying, come on, that’s absolutely ridiculous. On the basis that this is a guy, only a couple of weeks back, beats PSV, gets Rangers into the Champions League and last season a Europa League final. People have short memories in Glasgow.
“We can understand that Ange Postecoglou’s side are a good team, and on any good day, I am not saying they can beat anybody, but they are a good team. And they thrashed Rangers 4-0, that was a sore one. They go to Ajax, slightly off it and get thumped again.
“But over the piece, van Bronckhorst has done a good job, the only issue would be if they get well-beaten by Napoli, then the support will turn.”
IBROX CROWD KEY FOR RANGERS
Napoli are riding a wave and they will be landing in Glasgow to secure all three points, especially after they thrashed Liverpool 4-1 last time out.
Added with that, they are sitting at the top of the Serie A table, so their confidence, unlike Rangers’, is through the roof and that will showcase itself on Wednesday night.
Just like last season, and the club’s passage to the Europa League final, the Ibrox crowd are going to be very, very important in dragging their team over the line because that’s what they might need.
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