Ibrox hierarchy return from Amsterdam in private jet but van Bronckhorst gives them the slip

Ibrox fans were right to follow-follow a private jet from Amsterdam to Glasgow yesterday but it didn’t arrive with Giovanni van Bronckhorst on board to climb the marble staircase of unsurpassed dignity!

Over 3,000 people were tracking one private jet leaving Schiphol in the expectation that the former Barcelona and Arsenal man had accepted the offer to replace Steven Gerrard. Instead, it seems like the Ibrox hierarchy have been led a merry dance, returning to Scotland stll searching for a manager.

Keith Jackson explains to Daily Record readers:

Rangers could be without a manager for Sunday’s Hampden clash with Hibs – despite holding a second round of signing talks with top target Giovanni van Bronckhorst in Holland.

Record Sport understands a delegation from Ibrox jetted into Amsterdam at breakfast time on Tuesday to meet with van Bronckhorst and his adviser on the outskirts of the city to begin contract negotiations.

But they left empty handed just after lunchtime having listened to the 46-year-old’s demands and will now take at least 24 hours before returning to the table with an offer in writing.

Van Bronckhorst does not want to start work as Steven Gerrard’s successor without first assembling a full backroom team but he can’t bring in his own men until he has his own deal in place with the club.

It isn’t too difficult to work out the momentum in this story. At the weekend van Bronckhorst’s agents informed friendly media sources that the Dutch midfielder was in London to discuss the Ibrox gig, talks were later said to be positive as van Bronckhorst jetted back to Holland.

On Tuesday morning the Ibrox hierarchy flew to Holland for further talks but returned to Glasgow later in the day waiting on an answer.

After announcing £23.5m of losses for last season van Bronckhorst is almost certainly looking for assurances on his January budget while any reasonable business would be looking to bring in transfer fees and reduce the wage bill.

Meanwhile back at Murray Park Jermain Defoe and Colin Stewart are preparing a squad that has lost their manager and five coaches for a semi-final at Hampden on Sunday.

Elsewhere a war of words and tweets continues between official club partners and Dave Murray’s old friends at the Daily Record.

Flew in on Tuesday – wrong

Met on the outskirts of the city – wrong

Will take 24 hours to make offer in writing – wrong https://t.co/mUeNcXHHNC

— Mark Dingwall (@GrandmasterSuck) November 16, 2021