Rangers fan calls out Gio van Bronckhorst’s lack of Dutch transfers as Ross Wilson reveals club had AGREED deal for star
THERE were plenty of transfer incomings and outgoings during Giovanni van Bronckhorst's year-long spell as Rangers manager.
But despite the former Netherlands' international's vast experience of the Dutch game as a player and coach, the Light Blues failed to tap into van Bronckhorst's home nation to bolster their squad - although it appears they came very close to doing so.
The lack of any transfer activity from the Dutch game has remained a topic of interest for Gers fans, even in the wake of the 47-year old's sacking as boss last month.
Upon his appointment as Steven Gerrard's replacement in November 2021, many Rangers supporters were wondering which stars from the Eredivisie might be soon pulling on the famous blue jersey.
Indeed, several names were linked with a move to Ibrox.
Vitesse Arnhem centre back Danilho Doekhi was a player whose name was floated time and time again.
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The defender, however, moved to Germany to join Union Berlin as a free agent last summer.
Joey Veerman was another Dutch star linked with a switch to Rangers, but he left Heerenveen for PSV Eindhoven in the January window.
Seven new players joined Rangers in the summer just gone, but none were brought in from the Netherlands.
Van Bronckhorst was dismissed from his post last month after a dire run of form, meaning that not a single player from his homeland was brought to the club.
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Michael Beale has been installed as van Bronckhorst's successor, but the issue of the of Dutch talent being signed was raised at the club's AGM.
Indeed, it was in fact the first question asked after managing director Stewart Robertson opened the floor to fans' questions at the Armadillo in Glasgow.
And it appears that the club was, in fact, close to adding a star from the Netherlands.
However - there was NEVER any likelihood of the mass influx of Dutch stars many Gers fans would've been hoping for when van Bronckhorst was appointed boss.
Supporter Tom Martin from Ayr asked Gers sporting director Ross Wilson: "Can Mr. Wilson explain why we didn't sign a single Dutch player?"
Wilson responded: "There was one Dutch player we'd agreed terms with. But he agreed to join another club.
"Gio would always have the final say and that was the only Dutch player he brought forward."
The Ibrox club's 'player trading' transfer model was also a hot topic at the AGM.
The club said that they've spend £60.2million on player transfers since 2018.
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However, it hasn't really been until this year that the model has made a difference in terms of outgoings.
Rangers' record transfer sale has been broken twice in 2022, with Nathan Patterson's initial £12million move to Everton in January being followed by the £23million deal that took Calvin Bassey to Dutch giants Ajax during the summer window.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page