THERE have been times in recent days and weeks when it has been difficult not to feel sorry for Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
He needs all the support he can get right now, but he doesn't want or ask for sympathy. His situation poses issues, but the problems he faces must be taken with a dose of reality.
Defeat to St Johnstone on Sunday has been seen as the tipping point for many supporters and there is a train of thought that suggests Van Bronckhorst may not emerge from the World Cup break as Rangers manager.
The Dutchman has been around the game long enough to know how it works. But he has also seen and read enough about life away from the trials and tribulations of a European campaign or Premiership title race to know where performances and results really sit in the grand scheme of things.
Van Bronckhorst once again had to field questions about his future on Tuesday afternoon. Yet it was his answers on how he copes with the highs and lows of the game and life in general that were the most enlightening and interesting as he reflected on the struggles of others and put his own situation into context.
“Read the papers," Van Bronckhorst said when asked how he gets his sense of perspective. “Read the papers and see what is happening in the world. For me that is always been the case.
“I love my job and love being a coach. I love being here at the club.
“As I have said before, it’s not tough for me - it is not at all tough. Yes, is is difficult but it’s not tough.
“Other people around the world have it tougher than me right now. So I always put things into perspective when I look at my family.
“Some people have very tough moments in the world with the cost of living and everything else.
“It doesn’t mean I won’t give 100 prevent for the job, because I know it’s a difficult moment for all of us.
“We have to keep going and like any other manager in the world, if you don’t win games then it’s difficult.
“Look around, how many are without a job this season alone? I just keep going and try to work hard to reverse things.”
This season has offered plenty of opportunities for soul-searching at Ibrox and there is nobody that will have taken events at home and abroad to heart more than Van Bronckhorst.
The highs of the road to Seville and sense of achievement at Hampden seem such a long time ago and it is remarkable to consider just how quickly his fortunes have changed.
Losing at McDiarmid Park would have been one of the lowest points of the campaign. In such circumstances, is can be difficult to find an equilibrium between business and pleasure.
Van Bronckhorst said: "I can try to leave it. It is important balance you have to find with family and work.
"For me it is a bit more difficult because my family is in Holland. At difficult times they are not around, which makes it harder.
"But I think once you have your moments to be together, I’m a manager but I’m a husband and a father as well.
"Those moments I can be with them you have to be 100 per cent there. Of course, it’s not always easy because of phone calls, or whatever.
"That is difficult for me, difficult for my family. The always support me. It works both ways - for me to have them around and for them to be with their dad or husband.
"It is something we manage to find the right balance. They travel a lot of times to here and I travel back if possible. But now we have a two week break we can be together."
Van Bronckhorst reached the highest levels possible as a player but was left without one major medal as a World Cup ultimately eluded a man who lifted honours across the continent.
The ones that got away naturally retain a place in the back of the mind. The desire to win the next one is what continues to drive the 47-year-old through his current difficulties.
"For me the moments to make your family proud are the best moments," Van Bronckhorst said. "I speak to my players as well about when you win trophies, the moment you come back to your family - or for me, to my parents, to my wife, my kids - those are the moments for me that are priceless.
"I was very grateful I won so many trophies in my career, as a player, as coach. Those moments I always remember because you celebrate those moments with the ones you love.
"Also the moments when it is not so good…losing a World Cup final, losing a Europa League final, those are moments they are there for you as well."
A chastening Champions League campaign and faltering Premiership title bid leave Van Bronckhorst fighting to rebuild his standing in the eyes of a disgruntled support.
The heroics of European and domestic achievement last term seem so long ago now but the flip that put Rangers on the back foot can be reversed just as quickly if results start to come.
Van Bronckhorst said: "Both way, yes, both ways. The passion here is unbelievable.
"When you feel the passion after winning games everything is fine and you are like, ‘I want this every week.’ But you are also aware of how quickly it can change.
"Everything in August was really fine and then the tough games in the Champions League began and the performances in the league as well.
"Especially the last two weeks when we dropped five points. The pressure is on and you know that, so you enjoy the moments when you have success.
"And when it’s tough you have to show your character and keep going. Those are the challenges I feel and, maybe not through my body language, but with my players and my meetings the passion is still there and always will be."
