Giovanni van Bronckhorst relaxed about potential international absences

Players could miss the rescheduled Old Firm due to international call-ups

Author: Andrew MacleanPublished 24th Dec 2021
Last updated 24th Dec 2021

Giovanni van Bronckhorst says there is no frustration over key players potentially missing the next Old Firm due to international call-ups.

Rangers trio Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey have been included in Nigeria's provisional squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

Van Bronckhorst originally revealed they would be available to face Celtic on January 2 after organising a delayed release to their national team.

However, the rescheduling of the winter break means they could now miss a few games - starting against Aberdeen on January 18 and potentially extending through to February 6 against Hearts.

Asked if it was a frustration, van Bronckhorst said: "Not at all. It's just the way football is.

"Of course you want to have all your players available but you also know that sometimes the international calendar is not syncronised with the league.

"It's just the way it is. We have to take it as it comes.

"We'll play the game with 11 players and seven players on the bench but it's just the way it is.

"So it's just the way it is. Frustration, for me, is not a good word.

"It's just handling the situation as it comes".