Former Rangers hero Giovanni van Bronckhorst reckons veteran duo Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis are the men to inspire his old club to mount a serious title
challenge next season.
The Dutchman starred at Ibrox during a trophy-laden era for the club, winning the Treble 20 years ago in his first season, then adding a domestic double 12 months later.
Van Bronckhorst moved to Arsenal in an £8.5million deal and lifted the English Premier League title before a switch to Barcelona saw him help the Catalan club to the Champions League crown.
The 44-year-old still keeps an eye on life at the Light Blues, who he joined from Feyenoord under Dick Advocaat, and wants them to build on last season’s home Old Firm double against Celtic.
Van Bronckhorst believes the Hoops, with Neil Lennon back in charge, face the first real test of their incredible dominance after winning eight league titles on the spin and a treble Treble.
He has pinpointed Davis and Defoe as being pivotal to Rangers’ hopes after the experienced pair found their feet in an impressive end to the season for Steven Gerrard’s side.
There were high hopes for the two when they arrived amid much fanfare from England’s top flight in January with Gers level on points with Celtic at the top of the league following their December derby win. But after suffering defeat when Gerrard handed them quickfire debuts at Kilmarnock they struggled for form in the early part of their careers.
On-loan Bournemouth striker Defoe was given a chance due to Alfredo Morelos’ ill-discipline and bagged three goals in seven games with Davis also hitting top form before signing a permanent deal after initially returning to the club on loan from Southampton.
Van Bronckhorst said: “Every side needs a blend and Rangers will have plenty of experience in Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis.
“The pair of them have had excellent careers and they are excellent professionals.
“They will want to show they have plenty more left to offer and that’s why they will be crucial to any success Rangers are to have in the new season.
“Jermain still has the ability to score many goals and link play in the final third. Steven is very calm and stamps his authority in the middle of the park.
“Steven Gerrard will be counting on them to push all the way for the title. For a couple of years they were struggling to get close to Celtic’s level but that’s not the case now.
“They now have to take the positives of the two victories against Celtic last season and bring that mentality and skill over the course of a full campaign.
“It is clear to see the club is heading in the right direction and significant improvements have been made in the past year.
“Of course it is an important period coming up and they look as though they are ready to go and properly challenge. This will be a test for Celtic because Rangers are ready.
“Celtic will not get it easy next season, we all know that already.”
Before Gerrard accepted the Rangers job van Bronckhorst, who was in charge of Feyenoord at the time, was linked with it.
The former Holland captain stood down from that role last month but he said: “To be the manager of Rangers is a huge honour. I’ve been linked with it once or twice, that was flattering.
“You never know what may happen in the future and we know it is never wise to try to predict where your career may take you.
“But it’s important for everyone to support Steven and the players this season. That is the only focus.” Van Bronckhorst will be back in Glasgow on Saturday for a tribute dinner with Rod Wallace, the man who scored the winner to clinch the 1999 Treble, and Arthur Numan.
He said: “Rangers is a special football club and I always look out for their results. To have been a part of their history is a wonderful feeling and very humbling.
“I can’t believe it was more than 20 years ago I signed for Rangers. It will be good fun to be back in the city because I’ve only been back a couple of times since I left.
“Arthur and Rodney are good friends. We will have fun telling the stories of how it was back then.”
