Rangers' 1-1 draw at St Mirren in the last game before the winter break proved to be Giovanni van Bronckhorst's last match in charge
Rangers' 1-1 draw at St Mirren in the last game before the winter break proved to be Giovanni van Bronckhorst's final match in charge

Giovanni van Bronckhorst said he faced "unique challenges" and "very difficult circumstances" in his job.

Six days after his year-long tenure was ended, the Dutch coach broke his silence.

The Scottish Cup was won by Rangers and they were runners up.

The first priority this season is domestic success.

He said that he understands the hurt when victories become draws and defeats become losses. It's not acceptable at a club of Rangers' standing, no one understood that, and I felt that more than anyone else.

There were some very difficult circumstances that I had to contend with.

I wish the club all the best in the future. Always a Ranger.

Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo were two of the pillars of Rangers' success last season, but have left for bigger clubs.

Antonio Colak was the only new arrival to prove to be a success.

Rangers ended the season with the worst record in the history of the competition after being steered through two qualification rounds by Van Bronckhorst.

Rangers lost to Celtic by a score of four in a derby in September, and Van Bronckhorst was fired after they failed to win any of their next five league games.

It was aprivilege to manage the club and he leaves with some wonderful memories.

He said that his backroom team and he were driven with a belief that they could achieve amazing things. We treated our roles well.

On our European journey we experienced some incredible highs. Winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in over a decade is something that I am very proud of, as well as qualification for the group stage of the European Championship.

We achieved those wonderful memories because of our support. I am eternally grateful to all of you who spent your hard earned money and supported our team.

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