Giovanni Van Bronckhorst held his nerve in the heat of Dutch football’s fiercest rivalry to deliver Feyenoord’s first title for 18 years.
He did so against a backdrop of financial troubles amounting to debts of €40million that had threatened the Rotterdam giants’ standing as a top club only a few years earlier.
It was dubbed a ‘miracle title’ in some quarters of the Dutch media.
And Brad Jones - who witnessed first hand the burning desire of Van Bronckhorst to provide success for his city and the club with whom he made his name as a young player - can understand why.
The goalkeeper prefers to use the word “insane” to describe their championship charge of 2016-17. But he’s in no doubt the man at the helm worked wonders in four seasons in which he won four trophies.
Four years on and Van Bronckhorst is top of the list as Rangers look to find a successor to Steven Gerrard having themselves just won a long-awaited title after their own financial woes.
Jones, who played with Gerrard during five seasons at Liverpool, reckons it’s a perfect match.
Just like Feyenoord, Rangers have a special place in the 46-year-old’s heart. Jones knows because he told him often enough.
The veteran shotstopper, currently back home with Perth Glory, told Record Sport : “What Gio achieved in Holland was huge. That title can’t be underestimated.
“ Feyenoord were a club that was struggling and had come back from financial problems. They had to rebuild - very similar to what happened at Rangers.
“So winning the Eredivisie in 2017, only his second season in charge, was insane.
“It went to the final day and the pressure of knowing a first title in 18 years was at stake was huge.
“The fact it was Ajax, our arch rivals, breathing down our neck made it all the more intense.
“But Gio’s management of the situation was excellent. He made sure nerves were at a minimum and was so calm around the dressing room.
“There was no panic in the build-up or major changes in training. It was about continuing to believe in what had served us well up to that point.
“Dirk Kuyt scoring in the first minute certainly helped! And thankfully we went and defeated Heracles 3-1 to clinch the title.
“It meant so much to Gio. He’s from the area, his whole family is. He’d come through the system as a youngster and made his name there before moving to Rangers.
“I can only imagine the pressure he felt standing on the verge of that title. There was a huge burden on him.
“He wanted to do it for the city and it was a massive emotional moment for him when it happened.
“If he goes to Rangers then the players will love playing for him.
“Gio dealt with different personalities really well. He had big players like Kuyt and a group young exciting Dutch players.
“He’s a very personable guy and that’s possibly his biggest skill - man management.
“A bit like Stevie Gerrard. They both haven’t been out the game long as players so understand what they are going through. That was certainly huge for us at Feyenoord.
“I always looked out for Rangers results to see how Stevie was doing.
“It was no surprise to me. Because he was captain at Liverpool we got an insight into how he would be as a coach and a leader.
“He has left the club in a good position and it would make perfect sense to me for Gio to pick up the baton.
“They have different personalities - Stevie is more intense but Gio is a winner too and has proved himself.
“He used to talk about Rangers to me, it was a big period in his career where he achieved a lot as a youngster and played with some great players.
“Numan, Amoruso, Klos .. he played with some big, big names. And of course being managed by Dick Advocaat.
“He learned a lot at Rangers and it was a massive period for both him and Rangers as a club.
“He’s clearly never forgotten it.”
The similarities between the two clubs don’t end with long-awaited title triumphs.
Jones points to the 50,000 sell-out of football crazy fans at Feyenoord’s tidy De Kuip Stadium for every home match.
And then there’s the rivalry with Ajax which Jones says means handling the Old Firm pressure cooker would be no problem to Van Bronckhorst.
He said: “When it comes to Ajax it’s pretty bitter. To the point they don’t accept away fans in the stadium.
“Gio knows what the Old Firm is about as a player and has proved he can handle intense rivalries as a manager too.
“He knows what’s expected at Ibrox and the history of the club.
“He is a great fit and the success he had in Holland is still underestimated.
“I always expected him to move on to a good job. I think he needed a bit of time to recharge after four years at Feyenoord.
“It’s a big club that brings a lot of pressure. Every game is a 50,000 sell-out. The fans expect a lot. But Gio thrived in that situation.
“A league title, two cups and the super cup in four years shows what he can do.”
