The evolution of Rangers: 'You have to believe' as Giovanni van Bronckhorst reveals his coaching idols

Giovanni van Bronckhorst will tell his team to match Rangers’ iconic Bareclona Bears by bringing the club’s first European title since 1972 back from Seville as he himself bids to match figures from his own illustrious past.

Frank Rijkaard, Dick Advocaat and Louis van Gaal all had an input and effect on the Rangers manager’s playing days – and now the Dutchman wants to join those legendary peers by landing a European trophy as a manager.

Management, van Bronckhorst says, is a constant learning cycle, where he has taken the best work of his teachers and reflected the results on his own role at Rangers. He has moulded the key elements to reach a Europa League goal which could not only match one of the many achievements of the past Dutch masters, but earn legendary status at Ibrox.

One previous boss in particular, though, is a model on which van Bronckhorst works and sets up his team.

“You learn from every coach you have and I’m still learning. As a player, I was still learning at 34 or 35 and as a coach you never stop learning, improving yourself and getting new ideas.

“So it’s an ongoing process,” the manager said.

“I was privileged to train under some really good coaches. I think the final I played with Barcelona in 2006, when we won the Champions League, we had Frank Rijkaard as coach. As a character and the way I work, I think I’m closest to his manners and the way he approaches games.

“I always had a good feeling with him because he used the strength of the team. He always made us feel like we were special and able to achieve great things. With him, I had a really good relationship.

“Louis van Gaal was another coach I had with the Dutch team. As a coach in general, he is one of the best.

“And Dick Advocaat was a coach