Rangers lifted the Scottish Cup and were a ‘kick of the ball’ away from clinching a stunning Europa League triumph - but Neil McCann reckons losing the league to Celtic takes the shine off the season.
Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Hearts at Hampden ensured the Ibrox outfit have something to show for an impressive campaign.
But it was ultimately one that promised more than it delivered in the end.
The Light Blues have rightly earned huge respect for their remarkable run all the way to a European final.
But it is the domestic failings that McCann reckons will leave a bitter sense of frustration for his old club.
He said: “When you lose the league at Rangers, you can’t say it’s been a ‘great season.
“But Giovanni van Bronckhorst will look back and think he got a lot right.
“To win the Scottish Cup and be a kick of the ball away from winning the Europa League, too, means it’s been a positive campaign in a lot of respects.
“For Giovanni to get his first piece of silverware is important and what they did in Europe was astonishing, really.
“But the big disappointment will be the fact they’ve lost the league title, having worked so hard to wrest it from Celtic’s grasp.
“The most frustrating part about that for the club is they were six points clear but gave away goals in games when they were in good positions and dropped vital points.
“There are lessons there for the coaching team to reflect upon, but at least after Saturday’s victory they can do so with a bit of a smile on their faces.”
Two incredible performances in the finals of the Europa League and Scottish Cup have centred attention on Calvin Bassey amid speculation of potential bids from the English Premier League.
McCann reckons the displays of skipper James Tavernier, Glen Kamara and Alfredo Morelos will also have piqued the interest of possible suitors, whilst Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and Connor Goldson are all out of contract.
But McCann is convinced van Bronckhorst would have been keen to put his own stamp on the squad this summer anyway.
He added to the BBC: “I don’t think there will be a massive turnover of players at Rangers before next season.
“They can’t afford to lose too many because they will want to maintain the cohesion in the group.
“Regardless of players leaving, Giovanni will want to rebuild to an extent anyway. He has only had one January transfer window and not had the chance yet to reshape the group.
“He’ll have his own targets and the Champions League is a big prize if they can get through qualifying. As ever, recruitment will be key if they want to achieve that and win the league.”
