They like to call it a ‘dignified silence’. But the longer Rangers continue to say nothing – now that the world at the bottom of their staircase has entered into meltdown – the more damage is being done.
There certainly wasn’t a peep out of the big blue bunker on Monday as, outside, the clamour escalated for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to be put out of his managerial misery following another two dropped points at Paisley on Sunday. Van Bronckhorst has returned to his family home in Holland to let the situation cool off for a while at a time when he seems unsure if he’ll ever be back.
And the Dutchman’s former Rangers team-mate, Barry Ferguson, believes the uncertainty surrounding his old club is now in danger of causing permanent damage. The Record Sport columnist said: “I’ve listened to Gio’s post match interview a number of times since the weekend and it’s clear to me that he isn’t sure about his own future.
“To tell you the truth, I actually feel a bit sorry for him because he’ll have gone back to Holland probably not knowing where he stands. Whatever you might think of him as a manager, that’s a horrible situation to be in as a man.
“In fact, it’s equally unsettling for the Rangers fans who just want to know where the club is going from here, the same way Gio must be feeling. I know the fans are suffering because every day I’m getting the same kind of questions. ‘What’s happening in there? Is he going to survive?’.
“That’s a horrible environment to have to deal with and it’s unhealthy for the football club in general. The place is crying out for answers and a bit of clarity. The situation will only get worse until a decision is made, one way or the other.”
Ferguson has been a fierce defender of van Bronckhorst despite a recent run of results which have humiliated his old club on the European stage and allowed Celtic to open up a nine point gap domestically.
Now, for the first time, he admits he’s no longer sure that his old pal can turn it all around. But he is certain of one thing.
He went on: “The first conversation has to be between Gio and the board and it has to happen straight away. I know he’s gone back home but this conversation can’t be put off any longer.
“They need to discuss where it’s gone wrong over the last couple of months, where they want to be in the next couple of months – and how they plan to go about getting there. If they can agree on how to do it then they should come out and give Gio their backing. Tell the fans and the players that he’s in charge and that the club will be bringing in new players ahead of the second part of the season.
“But if they can’t agree and they decide they need to make a change, then they have to get on with it. Don’t leave everyone hanging any longer. One way or another a decision has to be made and the club needs to be given a sense of direction.
“I realise the club can’t come out and comment every time there’s any sort of issue. But this isn’t just any issue – this is huge – and it needs to be addressed with real urgency.”
Ferguson believes this lack of certainty has played its part in the current malaise. He went on: “There does seem to be a problem with communication. You’re never quite sure what’s going on behind the scenes whether it’s with the manager or even with what players he has available.
“I find it incredible that no one seems to know when the likes of Connor Goldson, Kemar Roofe and Ianis Hagi will be ready to play again. So let’s get it all out in the open. Let’s see what the manager needs in January and let’s see what they can do to turn the season around.
“But, if they decide Gio is not the man, then they have to make that clear too. The situation can’t be allowed to drift over the next few weeks – it’s too important for that. You can see that it’s impacting on the players as well.
“Do you think for a moment that the players aren’t asking the same things inside the dressing room? Do you not think they are aware of what’s been going on?
“I stay away from social media myself but I can imagine it must be on fire at the moment with all this stuff. The players will be seeing it for themselves every time they pick up their phones, turn on the TV or read a paper. So, for everyone’s sake, the most important thing now is for some clarity to be provided and answers given.”
And yet Ferguson is well aware that these conversations could go two very different ways. He said: “Obviously, the result at St Mirren was a bad one and I said before the game that he couldn’t afford any more dropped points. Had admitted as much himself.
“So, yes, part of you does then fear the worst for him when leaves Paisley with a 1–1 draw and falls nine points behind Celtic at the top of the table. But, on the other hand, is there anyone available who could come in straight away and turn it around?
“It might sound easy to say ‘Sack Gio,’ but the question is, who’s next? If Rangers make that decision then they have to have a solid contingency plan in place.
“Everyone has their own opinions and a lot of names are being thrown about as possible replacements but none of us know how easy it would be to entice these guys and the salaries that would have to be involved.
“If Rangers think they can bring in someone who will instantly improve the situation during the World Cup break then they have to get on with it. Because the worst thing they can do right now is nothing at all.”
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