Alan Hutton shares 'honest' Giovanni van Bronckhorst verdict after Rangers sacking
Alan Hutton has claimed Giovanni van Bronchkorst's Rangers sacking was "inevitable" with Celtic holding a nine-point lead in the Scottish Premiership.
The former Rangers and Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, conceded he "feels for" the 47-year-old after his history-making success in the 2021-22 campaign.
Rangers confirmed Van Bronckhorst's sacking on Monday (21 November) - with a club statement insisting recent results have not met the club's expectations.
Football Insider revealed on 22 November that QPR's Michael Beale is the top target to replace the Dutchman - with a Gers delegation heading to London for talks with a number of candidates.
Van Bronckhorst led his Rangers side to the worst Champions League group-stage campaign in the competition’s history earlier this season.
The Ibrox club have also already dropped 12 points in the Scottish Premiership this term.
Hutton claimed players and managers are under pressure to "win consistently" when at Ibrox.
He told Football Insider: “I wasn’t surprised if I’m honest.
“The results and performances haven’t been good enough.
“I feel sorry for him in a way, because we won the Scottish Cup and got to the Europa League final.
“But when you’re a Rangers player or manager you are under pressure to win consistently, and we’ve not done that this season.
“Celtic are nine points ahead, so I think that decision was inevitable in the end.”
Rangers return to league action against Hibernian on 15 December.
The Gers face an Old Firm clash on 2 January, before taking on Aberdeen in the Scottish League Cup on 15 January.