Brian Laudrup senses that Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst's outspoken European message was unwise.
The Dutchman is looking for his side to respond to a bruising 10 days of criticism following 4-0 defeats to Ajax and Celtic. They take on Italian side Napoli on Wednesday night and former winger Laudrup believes Van Bronckhorst's admission they need big bucks to compete at the elite European level was wrong in the open after their Europa League final run last season.
He also, speaking in his Daily Mail column, believes unity isn't in fully supply at Ibrox and that needs addressed quickly: "After the Ajax game, Van Bronckhorst spoke about needing hundreds of millions to compete in the Champions League. His comments have caused a lot of debate. I don't think they were the wisest things to say in public. Last season, Van Bronckhorst's team took on Dortmund and Leipzig two Champions League drop-outs and got the better of them.
READ MORE: Rangers skipper James Tavernier targeted by Ajax as part of Daley Blind dummy video
Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletter for more headlines straight to your inbox
"Rangers must haul themselves up. They badly need a performance offering signs of improvement. And a stabilising result. Most fans would accept a draw tomorrow night as long as the performance was there.
There was so much unity about Rangers towards the end of the season. Within the squad and among the fans. Now, it looks as though there is disharmony in the way the team plays.
"They have to find that harmony again as quickly as possible. I know from experience that it can change in one game. One big performance and result against a club like Napoli would restore belief to players and fans and make it a lot easier to move on from there and back into the Premiership."
READ NEXT:
- Rangers' summer transfer policy questioned as Celtic comparison made by Ibrox hero
- Former Rangers star Greg Stewart nets Mumbai City hat-trick and earns 'magic Scotsman' tag
- Rangers starlet Alex Lowry 'progressing well' as B team boss David McCallum gives injury update
- Rangers skipper James Tavernier targeted by Ajax as part of Daley Blind dummy video
- Rangers star Tom Lawrence's Wales latest addressed by Rob Page after solid start at Ibrox