Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckorst has rejected criticism of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk ahead of their Champions League clash.

Jurgen Klopp's side will hope to improve on a record of only three clean sheets in their last 17 matches when they entertain Rangers in their latest Champions League game on Tuesday.

Van Dijk is poised to later this year follow in the footsteps of Van Bronckhorst, who skippered Holland at the World Cup in 2010.

And the Dutch manager said on Monday: "I love Virgil. In his career, the way he developed as a player and always took next step, I'm very proud of the way he has performed for all his players but also the national team. He's the captain and is a true leader.

"Hopefully tomorrow he won't have a good game! But I have nothing but praise for him.

"As a Dutchman he is a great example. He is a fantastic player, everyone can have a bad game or spell, but the backing he gets from his coach is amazing.

"You always need that in those moments. I had the same feeling when I was a player. Your role as a manager is to keep them motivated and keep trying to reverse the direction."