Rangers not at the end of cycle, says manager
Van Bronckhorst insists cup win is just the start for his squad
GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst has dismissed suggestions Rangers have reached the end of a cycle this summer as he targets Ibrox reinforcements to bolster their bid for silverware next season.
Rangers rounded off the campaign with a Scottish Cup success on Saturday as extra-time strikes from Ryan Jack and Scott Wright were enough to overcome Hearts.
Victory at Hampden came just days after the Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt that saw Van Bronckhorst’s side miss out on a place in the Ibrox history books.
The Dutchman is now preparing for his first full season in charge and a potentially hectic period of wheeling and dealing as he puts his stamp on the squad he inherited from Steven Gerrard.
The futures of several key players remain in doubt heading into the summer as the likes of Allan
McGregor and Connor Goldson come to the end of their deals and prized assets such as Joe Aribo and Alfredo Morelos enter their final 12 months at Ibrox.
But Van Bronckhorst insists it will be another case of evolution rather than revolution ahead of Rangers’ bid to regain their Premiership crown and clinch a place in the Champions League next term.
“We’re just going to try to enjoy the trophy tonight and close the season,” Van Bronckhorst said after guiding his side to victory at Hampden. “We have some players going for international games but the majority have five weeks off.
“We need to work in the summer for new players. We will be there from the first day and try to be stronger again. Everything starts all over again so we have to be ready.
“Not too long [before decisions are made on the out-of-contract players] 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.
“You don’t come to the end of a cycle to be in a European final and win the Scottish Cup. 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.”