Giovanni van Bronkhorst has reflected on Rangers' summer transfer recruitment and looked forward to January, admitting: 'You have to make sure you end the window stronger than you started'.
The Dutchman is celebrating one year in the Ibrox post after coming in as Steven Gerrard's replacement following his move to Aston Villa in the English Premier League. There has been many highs and lows in the first 365 days for the former Light Blues star. A Europa League journey all the way to the final that ended in heartbreaking circumstances, A Scottish Cup triumph and Champions League qualification are all high points. The recent run of performances and results, the end outcome at Europe's top table and trailing Celtic by nine points at present will all be seen as lows for the 47-year-old.
Rangers have suffered from a string of injuries to key men with the list mounting during the first period in the season. But one area that has come under fire from supporters and pundits is the recruitment this summer. Van Bronckhorst admits the homework was done after losing Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey as he opened up on his signings.
READ MORE: Rangers face TWO crucial transfer windows with 'sizeable rebuild' as Ibrox hero talks recruitment
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He told Sky Sports : "We lost some players who were out of contract or on loan and some players made moves. Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey both took really good next steps in their careers and then we had to add new players.
"We did our homework, we had a list of potential new players and then that's when it begins. Is this player available? Can we have them? Is it financially possible to get players?
"Every window that's the dynamic you have, you do everything to get players in. We had seven new players in and some started really well, some need more time.
"I think every time that's the same with new players because they come from different backgrounds and different countries. In the end what we wanted was to reach the Champions League, which we did. Of course, we didn't foresee the many problems we would have with injuries.
On the transfer front going into January, he added: "I speak almost every day with Ross (Wilson) and we need to see how my squad is when the window comes closer. In every window you have to make sure you end the window stronger than you started. You can see what is possible and what we can do. We always want a better squad."
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