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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Ally McCoist in brutal Rangers verdict over Napoli as he shuts down loaded Steven Gerrard inquiry

Rangers icon Ally McCoist admits he isn't holding out much hope for his former team ahead of their daunting trip to Napoli.

Gio van Bronckhorst is in desperate need of a performance after he and his players were booed off in consecutive games against Dundee and Livingston. Rangers punters are miffed amid the laboured displays and now the Dutchman faces a mammoth battle to win back trust. Van Bronckhorst's domestic blues have not been quelled with a Euro tonic with Rangers suffering four consecutive Champions League defeats in Group A.

And now they head to Naples to take on European football's in-form team who are aiming for a convincing win to put them in the box seat of winning the group before they head to Anfield. And McCoist isn't relishing the trip to the south of Italy. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "My thoughts are that I am going to be watching that particular encounter from behind the couch. Through fingers like that (over his face)."

And McCoist's honest take is reflected among a fanbase who have serious concerns over the long-term suitability of the man in the dugout. Van Bronckhorst remains defiant that the trip to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium but the club's record scorer knows the heat is on.

He added: "He's under pressure because the last two, maybe last three performances have been really, really poor. I'll you right now, that Napoli game, I'm only half joking, I will be watching that from behind the couch. dear me."

TalkSPORT sparring partner Jamie O'Hara then asked if he would like to see Steven Gerrard return, however, the notion was met with a mixed reaction from McCoist.

He said: "No, I think that ship has sailed as well, Jamie. I think it would be absolutely split with the fans, I really do. It would be split, it might surprise some, I think a lot of people would take him back with open arms but I think there is still a bad taste in some of the supporters' mouths with the way it ended. I think that ship has sailed but there is no doubt Giovanni is under a bit of pressure."

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