Ronald De Boer has hailed Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's start to life as Rangers boss as "quite spectacular'".
The Holland legend and former Ibrox star was speaking before Van Bronckhorst made it six league wins in a row since succeeding Steven Gerrard with a 2-0 win over St Mirren.
De Boer, speaking to the Sunday Post, said: "When it was clear Giovanni was in conversation with Rangers I wanted him to get the job.
“He is a friend and a former colleague. I follow his career, and I am pleased for him to be in such a massive job.
“In football, there are certain ‘special’ jobs – and Rangers are in that category.
“It’s a big appointment, and on the wish list of many, many coaches around world football, believe me.
“Of course, there was already a connection between Rangers and Giovanni. He played for the club, and had a very successful three-year period before moving on to Arsenal then Barcelona.
“So he knows about the club, the demands that would be put on him, he knows the city and he knows the passion of the supporters.
“That took away the element of surprise from many things when he took on the role, and that is a good position to be in.
“He has also had an amazing start to life at Rangers, quite spectacular. He has won six out of six league games, and kept five clean sheets in the process.
“In Europe, he had to make sure the club qualified for the Europa League knock-out stages and they did by beating Sparta Prague 2-0. They also got a creditable 1-1 draw in Lyon.
“They now have a very exciting tie against Borussia Dortmund to look forward to in February.
“Before that, the focus has to be on the league, and making sure they keep going and stay top of the table.
“It’s a very nice situation just now – but situations can change very quickly if you take things for granted.
De Boer is predicting a tighter title race this season, and can speak from experience, having been involved in the nail-biting climax to the 2003 season when Alex McLeish’s Rangers side won the Treble, including the league title on a dramatic final day of the campaign.
“When we won it in 2003, it was full of drama,” said De Boer.
“We won by a single goal and the day we beat Dunfermline 6-1 at Ibrox will live long in my memory.
“What a day that was, and we finished off by beating Dundee to win the Scottish Cup and the Treble. I loved that season. It was so special.
“I know Giovanni and the players and the supporters would rather have the title won with four or five games to go, of course.
“But if it did go down to the wire, it would give it all some extra tension and maybe make it all that little bit sweeter.
“That, however, is for Giovanni and the players to decide. I’ll go with what they wish for because I am also a Bluenose!”
