Rangers striker Cedric Itten might’ve formed an important part of the squad which won 55 in the end, but last season wasn’t without it’s issues for the striker.
Besides joining a competitive squad with a reinforced forward line, the Swiss striker was moving abroad for the first time at the height of the pandemic.
This in of itself presents huge issues for any young footballer moving to a new club and that inability to socialise outside of work can easily take its toll.
The striker moved to Scotland for a reported £2.7m fee off the back of an explosive season with FC St Gallen, where he scored 19 Swiss Super League goals.
But amid the difficulties the forward has persevered and continues to work hard heading into the new season where Rangers fans will now hope to see the best of Ced the Ted.
“I think I adapted well but everything was closed, it was not too easy for me to meet lads outside of the training ground,” Itten told RangersTV.
“I love Glasgow, I love life here, and I’m really looking forward to things getting better and hopefully family and friends can come over to see that as well.
“But it’s really good to come back, to see the lads again and I’m really happy to be here.
“Now we’re back for the new season and we want to achieve even bigger things and we’re really hungry to achieve them.”
Not that Cedric didn’t show Rangers what he’d made of in flashes – as Motherwell found out more than most.
Four of Itten’s first six goals for Rangers came against the Fir Park club with that deadly double in Lanarkshire an introduction which will live long in the player’s memory.
Itten’s Ibrox strike against Motherwell to put us 2-1 up late on – days after we were put out the League Cup by St Mirren – was another important goal for the club.
There were also European goals against Lech Poznan – a powerful strike in the club’s last group game of the Europa League – and Royal Antwerp – a knockout round penalty in a comprehensive 5-2 victory.
There’s something there with the Swiss international and he can’t wait until the fans are back to help spur him on, something sorely missing from last season despite the success.
“I am really excited and I have heard so much from the players in the changing room and they have always said to me I need to experience it,” said Itten.
“I am really looking forward to having some fans back, and hopefully soon, all of them.
“I have seen a lot of videos before I came, and it is just amazing. The atmosphere in the stadium is just unbelievable and I am really looking forward to seeing the fans in the stadium and to hopefully celebrating with them.”
Whilst Cedric enjoyed a successful first season in Glasgow, he claims he was gutted after missing out on Switzerland’s squad for Euro 2020.