GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST has laid out the qualities he demands from his Rangers players as the champions bid to defend their Premiership title this term.
The Dutchman has made an impressive start on his return to Ibrox and is unbeaten in all competitions since replacing Steven Gerrard as manager in November.
Rangers get back down to league business with a trip to Aberdeen next Tuesday evening and also have key ties with Celtic, Hearts and Hibernian on the horizon.
Van Bronckhorst's side hold a six point lead over their Old Firm rivals and the 46-year-old is bullish about his chances of emerging victorious in the title race.
"We are the champions of Scotland," Van Bronckhorst told De Telegraaf. "This is Rangers, only first place counts for this club.
"We have to have that appearance of flair and spirit in every game and I expect that. No, I demand that from my players.
"I'm the manager, I had to show what I want from day one.
"I have to show the players that, that's very important. For me, it was nice to see that they have opened up to something new.
"Of course, it helps that you win matches with the way I play. When that is successful, then confidence in the team grows.
"I have opted for a slightly different formation in possession of the ball and when we defend we are also slightly different.
"Steven Gerrard also played 4-3-3, but if you see our matches, it is clear that we operate significantly differently in a number of positions.
"I have access to classic wingers at Rangers. So I want to use that.
"I also have a real number 10, so we can vary it a lot. The boys have handled it really well and everything has come off.
"It would have been nice if we could have trained the whole squad under the sun for a while in the winter, but Rangers has a fantastic training complex and we can train well here just fine."
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