Gio van Bronckhorst's Rangers 'crunch time' branded premature by former Ibrox star despite rotten run

Cammy Bell will watch two of his old clubs clash at Ibrox today knowing that supporters focus will be as much on both dug outs as on the park.

Dundee United may be managerless after a horror start to the season but caretaker Liam Fox is looking for a statement victory at Ibrox that could well make his interim spell permanent. Should that be the outcome and Rangers fail to win a fourth game in a row then the clamour for Gio van Bronckhorst ’s rein in Govan to be brought to an end might just reach the point of no return.

Bell might not agree with it. But he fully understands why the Dutchman’s head is on the block after three heavy defeats in succession left the club’s Champions League hopes on the brink and their Premiership title chances lagging after only six games. A questionable transfer window has come under increased scrutiny and memories of the thrilling run to the Europa League Final only four months ago have long since evaporated.

It’s crunch time for van Bronckhorst and Bell insists he needs a big result this afternoon. The former Ibrox goalkeeper said: “This is a massive, massive match for Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his future at Rangers.

“It’s a game they need to win but also with a good performance. The fans demand that but the players need that bit of confidence that comes off that too. Last season is forgotten about very quickly at a club like Rangers.

“They haven’t won enough games this season and suffered too many heavy defeats. That’s not acceptable at that club no matter the quality of opposition.

“I understand off the back of the Old Firm game why Gio is under pressure. The manner of that and the Ajax defeat days later were awful and way below the standards expected.

“But what I would say is that