GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST remains on course to land his dream job with Rangers despite an Ibrox delegation returning to Scotland without their top managerial target.

Van Bronckhorst and his agent were not on board a private jet that landed at Glasgow Airport on Tuesday afternoon as Light Blues chiefs made their way back from crunch talks in Holland.

Sources close to the Dutchman have revealed that van Bronckhorst - who was still in his homeland last night - will await contact from Rangers on Wednesday and that call will determine when he heads to Scotland to succeed Steven Gerrard as boss.

Sporting director Ross Wilson has overseen the search to recruit Gerrard’s replacement and former Light Blues star van Bronckhorst is now poised to finalise a deal that will see him return to the club where he won five major honours during an illustrious playing career.

The 46-year-old expressed an interest in the position in the aftermath of Gerrard's shock exit last week and the process is now set to be concluded 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 fixtures at home and abroad for Rangers as they attempt to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Europa League and consolidate their lead in the Premiership title race.

Van Bronckhorst - the former Arsenal and Barcelona star 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.

He 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.

And that hunt is set to come to an end sooner rather than later as van Bronckhorst closes in on a deal to rejoin the club that he departed two decades ago.