Giovanni van Bronckhorst demands Rangers ‘fight’ after slamming defending for second successive game

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst Rangers

Giovanni van Bronckhorst slammed Rangers’ defending again after they conceded four goals for the second time in five days in their Champions League clash at Ajax.

Van Bronckhorst’s men were thrashed 4-0 by Old Firm rivals Celtic on Saturday and they suffered a deja vu in Amsterdam, where a woeful first-half display cost them badly.

Midfielder Edson Alvarez headed in from a corner in the 17th minute before Gers defender James Sands redirected a Steven Berghuis shot into his own net after 32 minutes, with Mohammed Kudus thundering in a drive a minute later.

Former Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn added a fourth with 10 minutes remaining to complete the hammering.

And speaking after the game, Van Bronckhorst said: “Eight goals in two games is too much for Rangers – that can never happen. The opponent can be strong, you can lose a game, but not the way we gifted the goals.

“Sometimes in football, you taste victory and success, and sometimes you taste defeat and feel low. When I have those moments in my career, those are the moments I wanted to fight even more. That’s what I expect from my players as well.”

Meanwhile, former Rangers defender Calvin Bassey was thrilled to get the win against his old side.

He added: “I’m buzzing, but it’s a weird feeling. It wasn’t easy for us we just executed at the right times.

“There’s still work that can be done for us to get better and we’re pleased with the performance.”