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Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

The 7 Rangers outcasts Gio van Bronckhorst can reinvigorate with Ibrox second chance

He's barely in the door at Ibrox, but it's straight down to work for new Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst.

Steven Gerrard's successor will be quickly assessing his squad with massive Europa League and Scottish Premiership ties on the horizon.

Van Bronckhorst will have no doubt told sporting director Ross Wilson his transfer wish list, but the Dutchman has a track record of developing player's from within.

Among those is Netherlands international Steven Berghuis, who arrived at Feyenoord having struggled to make any impact at Watford.

The incoming Rangers boss had a transformative impact on the winger's career, taking him from the fringes of the squad to being a vital part of his league and cup winning side.

He would earn a call up to the Netherlands squad during that spell, and has been a mainstay in the national team ever since.

Could there be players who were put on the sidelines by Gerrard that could win over Van Bronckhorst in a similar fashion? Record Sport takes a look.

Brandon Barker

(SNS Group)

The former Manchester City and Hibs winger has found it hard going under Steven Gerrard. On the face of it, the pacy winger is a perfect fit for the front three deployed by the new man in charge at Aston Villa. Even with injuries to the likes of Ryan Kent, Barker hasn't made a single appearance this term. Given Van Bronckhorst is keen on an attacking three, could he look to dig deep into his squad to reboot the 27-year-old's career?

Robby McCrorie

(SNS Group)

The 23-year-old was thrown in at the deep end this season amid Rangers early-season Covid woes. He kept two clean sheets from two in the Europa League clash with Alashkert and on derby day against Celtic. At the time Gerrard claimed "he’s got the potential to one day be a Rangers number one". So far, that day hasn't come despite the Jon McLaughlin and Allan McGregor being rotated constantly in and out of the staring line-up. The new boss will bring a fresh pair of eyes to the situation between the sticks.

Nikola Katic

After a long spell on the injury list, Katic stepped up his recovery in the summer with appearances for the Rangers Colts side. Despite appearing to be close to full fitness, the decision was taken to ship the centre-back out to Croatian side Hajduk Split on loan for the campaign. He has become a regular in the HNL.1 as the 25-year-old looks to reclaim his spot in the national side. With Filip Helander on the injury list and Connor Goldson yet to sign a new contract, Van Bronckhorst could look to bring the defender back to Ibrox as soon as possible.

Jack Simpson

(SNS Group)

Speaking of options at centre-back options, the lesser-spotted Jack Simpson will be desperate to impress his new boss. The 24-year-old arrived in January from Bournemouth with hopes high that a six-month bedding-in period would spark a big impact this season. That hasn't happened yet for Simpson with just one start this season. It could be a massive season now for the defender. He is so far out the picture he was even missing from the club's Europa League squad, ouch.

Glenn Middleton

(SNS Group)

Having made his breakthrough at Ibrox in the Graeme Murty era, Middleton has been shipped out on loan to Hibs, Bradford and St Johnstone under Gerrard. He is enjoying his second loan spell with Callum Davidson's side this season, but the 21-year-old will no doubt be hoping Van Bronckhorst is keeping his eye on events with the Perth Saints. A maverick winger, he is another that could easily fit into the style the Dutchman deployed in the Eredivise. But will he?

Cedric Itten

On the subject of loanees, Itten has produced a number of eye-catching displays at Bundesliga strugglers Greuther Fürth since his loan exit from the Premiership champions. That has led to a recall to the Swiss side that have just booked their place at Qatar 2022, seeing off Italy to top their group. Having mainly been used as an impact sub by Gerrard, van Bronckhorst could see things very differently for the 24-year-old.

Jake Hastie

(SNS Group)

Big things were expected from the winger when he was snapped up as a free agent from Motherwell. He burst onto the scene at Fir Park, and quickly caught the eye of Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson. The majority of his Light Blues' career has been spent out on loan, with spells at Rotherham, back at The Steelmen, and now in the Championship at Partick Thistle. The 22-year-old is yet to start a game for The Jags, and a return to Ibrox and an arm round the shoulder from his new gaffer could do him the world of good, but, perhaps, it looks like his next destination will be away from his parent club.

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