THE season ended with a silver lining at Hampden. Now Scott Wright is confident the future will be bright at Ibrox.
Time will tell what part the winger will have to play in that process but recent weeks - topped off by his strike against Hearts on Saturday - have given Wright plenty of individual and collective hope heading into the new season.
The failure to defend the Premiership title sits as a black mark on Giovanni van Bronckhorst's record this term, while defeat in the Europa League final will linger for many years as one of those what might have been moments for Rangers.
Cup success was, therefore, non-negotiable. In that regard, Rangers can now take a positive from a remarkable campaign that could have delivered so much more, or nothing at all, for a squad who went from high to low and back again over the course of the season.
Wright finished in style. He added to Ryan Jack's strike and ensured the Scottish Cup returned to Ibrox for the first time in 13 years as Van Bronckhorst collected his first winners medal as manager.
And the 24-year-old is confident that Saturday's triumph will be just the beginning as Rangers prepare for a defining summer on and off the park and aim to lay the foundations for further achievements at home and abroad.
"Playing for a football club like this, we want to win every game," Wright said. "As I say, we tried to bounce back from the disappointment on Wednesday.
"It was important for us. There is an important game every two or three days at this football club, so it was a case of dusting ourselves off and trying to win [on Saturday].
"Yeah, I agree [that there is more to come from the team next season]. Obviously it was difficult for the boss coming in kind of midway through the season and us playing so many games trying to implement his style.
"We look forward to the break now and then look forward to getting a full pre-season under the boss.
"Absolutely [I will relish the challenge of new players arriving]. There is always a challenge here to play for Rangers Football Club. It’s a challenge I look to meet head-on."
It took time for Wright to come to the fore this term but he finished the season well as goals against Motherwell and Ross County helped him stake his claim for a starting spot in Seville.
There were testing moments earlier in the campaign as the forward found it difficult to establish himself and struggled for regular action at Ibrox.
Wright never lost faith in his ability, though, and his patience was rewarded at Hampden as he stepped off the bench to score the crucial second goal that deflated and defeated Hearts.
Wright said: "It’s the sake of constantly trying to believe in yourself when you are out of the team and working hard in training.
"I don’t think there is a reason for you not to try and improve when you are out of the team.
"I had numerous conversations with the boss. He kept me going. I also had numerous conversations with other people among the staff and players.
"As I said, there is a fantastic dynamic in there and people I can bounce off of. Scotty Arfield and Steven Davis were massive for me as well.
"It’s about waiting for your opportunity and being ready. There is competition for places here and it’s a fantastic squad. If you get an opportunity, you need to try and take it."
Wright was overlooked for a spot in the Rangers attack as Amad Diallo got the nod and boss Van Bronckhorst altered his line-up on the back of an energy-sapping night in Seville.
Rangers saw their European dreams come to an end in the cruellest fashion as Aaron Ramsey's penalty miss ultimately handed the trophy to Eintracht Frankfurt.
But their class and quality, their physical and mental strength, shone through on Saturday as another two hours of action saw them lift the silverware.
"We’ve had numerous occasions now where we have gone to extra-time," Wright said. "I think we have shown our strength, mentally and physically.
"We knew it was going to be tough bouncing back from Wednesday, just from the sheer disappointment.
"But the confidence and the mental strength in that changing room was there to see.
"I think we have a great dynamic among the players through our leadership group. The likes of Tav and Connor push us on the pitch.
"Then when we’re in the changing room the boss pushes that as well. I think we’ve got a fantastic dynamic and it shows on the pitch.
"Obviously [it was disappointing not to start] but there is always competition for places here and it constantly keeps you on your toes.
"I just thought that if I had the chance to come on, I wanted to grab that opportunity and help the team."
Wright certainly made the most of his moment. Of the seven goals he has scored this term, none will have been sweeter than his Hampden heroics.
Rangers were already on course for victory after Jack rifled a strike beyond Craig Gordon to break the deadlock during the first half of extra-time.
When Ryan Kent broke free just minutes later, Rangers had the chance for the crucial second goal. With a clinical finish, Wright made sure it was taken as the cup was won.
"It was an amazing feeling to see the ball hit the net," Wright said. "Being Scottish, you dream of playing in Cup finals.
"It was great that the team won and that’s the most important thing.
"You could say [it was a cup win made in Aberdeen]. It’s some strike from Jacko and it really pushed us on at the start of extra-time.
"I was then delighted I could get on the scoresheet but, as I say, the most important thing was us bouncing back from Wednesday and bringing the Cup home.
"I only really gave him (Kent) one shout, to be fair. I wasn’t sure if he was going to use me as a decoy and go himself.
"But it was a great pass from Razz, I just took a touch and thankfully ended up scoring."
