Gio van Bronckhorst challenges Rangers stars to 'step up' and lead like Connor Goldson

Expectant Gio van Bronckhorst wants his Rangers stars to rise to the role of on-pitch leader amid talisman Connor Goldson 's extended absence.

The Ibrox side are licking their wounds in the wake of their bruising 7-1 Champions League defeat to Liverpool which leaves them without a point in Group A. And Van Bronckhorst doesn't have his problems to seek on the injury front with Goldson sidelined for months, Ryan Jack limping off against Liverpool and Ben Davies fighting to overcome a knock.

The Dutchman felt his team badly missed Goldson's vocal nature as Jurgen Klopp's men went on a goal spree at Ibrox. Speaking ahead of the clash with Motherwell, he told Sky Sports: "You could see when he left the pitch on Wednesday we had to communicate more, other players need to step up and take that role, it's a blow for us if you see the way he was performing."

Van Bronckhorst revealed after the sobering defeat to Liverpool his Rangers dressing room had been reduced to stunned silence. But he states both he and his players have vocalised the issues behind the club's unceremonious loss to the Premier League giants. He added: “We were in on Thursday and talked with the players about the game, the experience they felt in the game. Of course, disappointed with the result, also the disappointment with the difference between the first 60 minutes and the last 30 minutes.

“That's how they felt, like I felt and they have the same feeling to continue and keep improving and take the lessons from the game and move on.”

"You could see when he left the pitch on Wednesday we had to communicate more, other players need to step up and take that role, it's a blow for us if you see the way he was performed.

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