Gio van Bronckhorst has spoken for the first time since he was sacked by Rangers as he claimed he worked in "very difficult circumstances" at Ibrox.
The Dutchman had made a lasting impact on the club as a player and returned to the club as manager to take over the helm from Steven Gerrard after his departure from Aston Villa. Despite losing out in the Scottish Premiership title race to a resurgent Celtic, Van Bronckhorst led the club on a historic run to the Europa League final before rounding off the campaign with a Scottish Cup win over Hearts.
However, he couldn't capture that form again this season. After ending Rangers' 12 year absence from the Champions League group stage with a playoff win over PSV, the Ibrox side reached a record European low point when they returned the worst ever performance in Europe's elite competition. Domestically, the Ange Postecoglou's side have raced nine points clear at the top of the table.
However, in a lengthy statement Van Bronckhorst offered an explanation for his struggles this term as he claimed he "faced unique challenges and some very difficult circumstances to operate in." However, he confessed that results had not been good enough.
Van Bronckhorst's statement read: "The opportunity to manage an institution like Rangers FC is a privilege which very few are afforded. As a former player, I understood the responsibility and magnitude of the task.
"My backroom team and I worked with energy, passion and were driven with a belief that we could achieve amazing things. We treated our roles with respect, optimism and determination.
"We experienced some incredible highs, especially on our European journey to Seville. Winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in over a decade and qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League is something I am very proud of. The passion of our support drove us on to achieve those wonderful memories.
"For that, I am forever grateful to every single one of you who travelled near and far, spent your hard earned money, and never gave up supporting our team. This season, like every year at Rangers, the first priority is domestic success.
"I understand the hurt when wins become draws, and worse, when we experience defeat. That isn’t acceptable at a club of Rangers standing, no one understood that and felt that more than I did. I faced unique challenges and some very difficult circumstances to operate in. Rangers FC will always be in my heart and I wish the club all the success for the future. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger."
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