Rangers: 'Pressure on Van Bronckhorst' as 'damaging' challenge looms

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst won’t ‘get sacked’ even if they lose their Scottish Cup semi-final clash over the weekend, according to Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge.

The Ibrox outfit will be hoping to progress to the showpiece event when they take on their Old Firm rivals at Hampden Park, keeping their hopes of winning some silverware alive this season in the process.

It was a memorable season last time out for Rangers as they ended Celtic’s nine-year reign as Scottish champions, finishing 25 points above the Hoops and remaining unbeaten in their 38 league games.

And it seemed as though they were destined to defend their crown in the early stages of the current campaign, opening up a four-point gap at the top of the table by the November international break.

However, the departure of former manager Steven Gerrard and Celtic’s dramatic turnaround in form has seen the balance of power swing once again in Glasgow.

Van Bronckhorst took over the reins following Gerrard’s shock exit, and although he’s guided his side deep into the Europa League knockout stages, Rangers’ domestic performances have left a lot to be desired.

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Draws against Aberdeen, Motherwell and Dundee United have been frustrating but it’s the back-to-back defeats against Celtic in the most recent Old Firm derbies that have really done the damage.

As a result, Ange Postecoglou’s charges now sit six points clear at the top of the SPFL table, and with the League Cup already secured, a famous treble is in sight.

With only six league games left to play, it would take a monumental swing in fortunes for Rangers to be able to retain their crown.

Therefore, Sunday’s semi-final is