Van Bronckhorst Snaps Back As He Is Questioned About Snubbing 4M Summer Signing

Van Bronckhorst Snaps Back As He Is Questioned About Snubbing 4M Summer Signing

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has hit back at those who questioned his decision not to use Ben Davies in the 3-0 defeat to Napoli last night.

James Sands was sent off after picking up a second booking midway through the second half but van Bronckhorst opted to send on Leon King, rather than Davies, who had been signed for £4m from Liverpool in the summer.

When asked about his treatment of Davies after the game yesterday, van Bronckhorst gave a rather blunt response, stating he picked King because he felt he was “ready to play”:

“Why do I have to talk about Ben Davies? He has been injured, he is just back in training. I put players in who I think will be ready to play. That is why I put Leon in first. He defends really well, he defended really well in the second-half against Ajax. That is why I put him in and why Ben didn’t start.”


Considering Davies’ recent injury problems, van Bronckhorst was probably justified keeping the 27-year-old on the bench, but his decision to also omit other summer signings from the starting eleven has raised questions about the Gers’ summer recruitment.

Ridvan Yilmaz, Malik Tillman, Rabbi Matondo and Antonio Colak were also among the substitutes suggesting van Bronckhorst may not be too keen on some of the players brought in by Director of Football Ross Wilson.