Giovanni van Bronckhorst unmoved by Rangers critics - 'I don't need any advice or influence'

Ignoring what he routinely described as ‘outside noise’ became a managerial mantra for Steven Gerrard during his tenure at Rangers.

As the heat is turned up on the Scottish champions in an increasingly tense title race, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has made it clear he will adopt a similarly blinkered approach amid scrutiny of his team’s recently erratic domestic performances.

Since replacing Gerrard in November, van Bronckhorst has suffered just one defeat in 21 games. Rangers have reached the last 16 of the Europa League and still have the destiny of their title defence in their own hands despite their league form since the winter break.

A sizeable number of Rangers fans have expressed concern over the Ibrox club’s January transfer window activity with both Aaron Ramsey and Amad Diallo having made little impact so far since their loan arrivals from Juventus and Manchester United.

Failure to translate dominance of their last two league games against Dundee United and Motherwell into maximum points has also seen van Bronckhorst’s team selections attract criticism. None of which comes as a surprise to the Dutchman who insists he will continue to have the courage of his own convictions in the job.

“I know the club,” he said. “I know the feeling of becoming a manager of a big club. It comes with pressure, it comes with questions.

“So for me, that’s what I expected, what I’m used to. But for me the most important thing is to be clear on the path we want to go, how we want to play.

“I know I’m responsible for the tactics, for picking the starting line-up. So I don’t need any advice or influence.

“Of course people will talk about it - in a very good way and also in a very negative way when the results aren’t there.

“But I just