Rangers manager Gio van Bronckhorst has hit back at suggestions the Light Blues are at the end of their “cycle” as the Dutchman prepares for a busy summer of transfers – pointing to the Gers’ Europa League final spot as proof there’s plenty of life left in this side yet.
While there are likely to be a number of comings and goings this summer as Gio takes his side through his first pre-season as Rangers boss, he is confident the “desire and hunger” to win trophies is still very much there.
“You don’t come to the end of a cycle to be in a European final and win the Scottish Cup,” van Bronckhorst said after Saturday’s Scottish Cup win.
“We were fighting for the championship until the end.
“This team still has the desire and the hunger.
“Of course there will be some changes with some new personnel, some new players coming in.
“We have to be ready for the challenges we face next season.”
Summer transfers need to be done quickly by Rangers
With a huge summer ahead for Rangers, getting transfers completed and players settled as quickly as possible is imperative.
Champions League qualification and getting off to a strong start in the League are both vital and the Light Blues can’t spent the summer waiting to see what happens elsewhere before moving for targets.
Reaching the Europa League final will probably make the club a bit more attractive to certain players and the finances it brought in should widen the scope of targets available.
With a number of players out of contract this summer, van Bronckhorst has suggested he won’t wait all summer for them to decide where their future lies, adding: “Not too long because we have to move on as a club and as a team.
“Of course you want to have your team and your squad done as early as possible because we also have to play in Europe very quickly when the season begins.
“You want to have the strongest squad possible.”
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