GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST faces a 24 hour wait to land his dream job with Rangers after an Ibrox delegation returned to Scotland without their top managerial target.

A private jet landed at Glasgow Airport on Tuesday afternoon but van Bronckhorst and his representatives were not on the flight and were still in Holland later that evening.

Sources close to the Dutchman have revealed van Bronckhorst will await contact from Rangers on Wednesday and that call will determine when he heads to Scotland.

Van Bronckhorst emerged as Rangers’ prime target last week when Gerrard – and coaches Gary McAllister, Michael Beale, Tom Culshaw and Jordan Milsom – quit Ibrox just months after leading their side to a historic 55th league title.

Sporting director Ross Wilson has overseen the search to recruit Gerrard’s successor and it is to former Light Blues star van Bronckhorst – who won five major honours during his playing career at Ibrox - he looks to have turned as Rangers aim to defend their Premiership crown this term.

The 46-year-old expressed an interest in returning to Glasgow early in the search and the process continues as the clock ticks towards to the Premier Sports Cup semi-final with Hibernian on Sunday.

That Hampden clash kicks off a crucial run of domestic fixtures for Rangers as they prepare for trips to Hibernian, Hearts, Aberdeen and Celtic before the winter break in the top flight.

And Gerrard's successor will also have Europa League ambitions to focus on as he gears up for a defining Group A clash with Sparta Prague next Thursday and the trip to Lyon on matchday six.

Former Arsenal and Barcelona star van Bronckhorst – who captained Holland in their defeat to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final – has been out of management since leaving his position at Guangzhou City due to the impact of Coronavirus.

Van Bronckhorst started his managerial career at Feyenoord and ended their 18-year wait for an Eredevisie title in 2017. He also won two KNVB Cups and lifted the Johan Cruyff Shield twice.

Rangers confirmed this week that Jermain Defoe, David McCallum, Brian Gilmour and Colin Stewart would oversee training whilst the search continued for a new manager.

That process is now set to come to an end sooner rather than later but van Bronckhorst will have to wait before his return to Ibrox is sealed.