Connor Goldson couldn't say it but the defender knew Rangers weren't improving after their Scottish Premiership title triumph in 2021.
The centre-back, 31, wasn't alone in his thinking that the Ibrox side did not improve and build upon their success despite the opportunity to "pull away from Celtic".
It's a frustration Steven Gerrard had as manager and one Goldson now candidly reflects on as he revealed he couldn't comment freely while still "in and around the club" but has now voiced his disappointment over the situation.
“Winning that title was amazing and that group of players had such a strong bond," said Goldson in an interview with the Daily Record.
“They had to look after that. But I don’t think Rangers as a club has ever been the same since. I always remember the interview Steven gave after winning it, when he talked about fixing the roof while the sun was shining.
Read more:
-
Barisic struggles in Turkey: Agent negotiates contract termination
-
Ex-Rangers star talks on challenges of leaving Ibrox & playing abroad
“Did they ever really do that? I don’t think so. That’s a shame because the foundation we had then was the strongest the club has had for a long time. Look at the assets and the squad we had."
Goldson has suggested there was a desire to stretch a lead over Celtic within the dressing room at Ibrox but, in reality, there was an acknowledgment from the players that the squad was not "getting stronger".
It's a missed opportunity that still remains lodged in Goldson's mind even as he lives life in Cyprus at Aris Limassol having left Ibrox in the summer.
“You can’t say it when you’re in and around the club," continued the defender. "But when I look back, we knew we weren’t getting stronger. That’s what we felt. We tried our best afterwards but that was the pinnacle for me and that group.
“We’re fortunate we had that year. But we wanted to kick on and win more. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. We felt that was our chance to really progress and to stretch away from Celtic. That was our feeling in the dressing room.”
