Rangers icon Brian Laudrup responds to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s ‘stupid’ comments blast and doubles down on criticism
BRIAN LAUDRUP has responded to Giovanni van Bronckhorst after the Rangers boss blasted comments made by the Danish icon as "stupid."
And the former Ibrox winger insists he completely stands by what he said.
In the wake of the 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone, Laudrup last week called out van Bronckhorst's body language, and claimed the Gers gaffer didn't look like a man who believed he could turn things around.
He said it "looks almost like he has given up a little bit" - and that was the comment that appeared to irk under-pressure van Bronckhorst the most.
Speaking ahead of the midweek clash with Hearts, the Dutchman hit back: "I have given up?
"That’s very easy and a stupid thing to say from Brian. He knows the pressure.
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"I know I get a lot of questions about my body language, but I don’t think it’s anything about body language.
"It’s about what you bring to the players inside.
"I get many questions about how I should be different on the sidelines, but I am me.
"I’m not anyone else and the last thing we all need is people putting the pressure even higher by suggesting things which aren’t true. So I totally disagree with him."
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A Malik Tillman goal saw Rangers secure a narrow 1-0 win over the Jambos to ease some of the pressure on the manager - but it skyrocketed again at the weekend.
That was after van Bronckhorst's side dropped yet more points, needing a late James Tavernier penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw at St Mirren.
Coupled with Celtic's win over Ross County later on, it means the Hoops now have a nine-point cushion at the top of the Premiership table.
Writing in his Daily Mail column this week, Laudrup acknowledged van Bronckhorst's response and insisted he has no problem with what he had to say.
But - he doubled down on his suggestions that van Bronckhorst's body language isn't giving off the right impression and insisted he fully stands by his comments last week.
He also insisted a quick decision on GVB's future is an absolute must.
Laudrup said: "It felt like decision time was approaching last week. Now it has very much arrived. What happens next with Giovanni van Bronckhorst will help define how Rangers approach a hugely difficult set of circumstances.
"Even at nine points behind Celtic going into this World Cup break, the club cannot concede this season's Premiership title. Not yet. Not with so much football still to play.
"But with ten players out of contract at the end of the campaign, Rangers also need to have one eye on how best to deal with a rebuild that will be the most significant since Steven Gerrard took charge in the summer of 2018. Courageous and experienced leadership would seem essential.
"Last week, I spoke about van Bronckhorst's body language his whole demeanour, really and whether it looked as though he truly believed he could turn things around in terms of recent performances and results.
"I know he responded to me with some comments of his own. He was perfectly entitled to do so. I have no problem with that at all. But I stand by what I said.
"Because the point I was trying to make was about the impression it gave to others. Including players. I was thinking back to my time and whether I'd seen a manager look the downbeat way van Bronckhorst did as his team lost to St Johnstone.
"Even in van Bronckhorst's own playing days, he might have wondered what was going on if his manager didn't look as if he could change things or turn it around.
"The Dutchman has been through so much this season. Saturday's 1-1 draw with St Mirren was yet another blow. It was more of the same, really.
"After the game, van Bronckhorst spoke about not being certain whether he would still be in charge after the World Cup break.
"Again, to me, it looked like someone who wanted a decision to be made on whether he is the man or not."
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Van Bronckhorst is clinging on to his job at Ibrox for now after talks were held in the wake of the draw in Paisley.
He claimed after that match that he had the backing of the board, but SunSport understands the majority of club chiefs have now lost faith in the 47-year old.
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