Giovanni van Bronckhorst was yesterday unveiled as Rangers’ 17th permanent manager and so begins a new era at the club.
The club has done well to get the deal done only a week after Steven Gerrard left for Aston Villa.
The Dutchman was the ideal candidate and getting him in the door is a massive statement of intent.
Although the team is fairly settled and there are no obvious initial problems for the new manager, there are some contract issues that need to be resolved sooner rather than later.
There are a few key players who are out of contract in the summer, and this should be van Bronckhorst’s number one priority.
Key figures at the club such as Allan McGregor and Steven Davis are obviously coming towards the end of their careers and van Bronckhorst might take this into consideration when the time comes for contract renewals.
Both can still offer something to the team. Even if it is a player/coach role akin to Jermain Defoe, then the rest of the squad can benefit from their experience.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s biggest challenge is to persuade Connor Goldson to sign a new deal.
The Englishman hasn’t looked himself this season, with contract talks stalling and rumours of a move to England [Rincon Escocés], he hasn’t been performing to his usual high standards.
If the player doesn’t want to sign a new contract, then van Bronckhorst might try and get some sort of fee in January rather than losing him for nothing in the summer.
With Filip Helander out injured and Katic out on loan, our centre-back options are threadbare if Goldson does move on. However, there is an option to recall Katic in January if necessary.
Some big decisions await the new manager as he begins his new role at the Ibrox side.
I certainly don’t envy him.
Meanwhile, a high-profile name is set to join van Bronckhorst’s backroom staff.
