GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst accepted the facts speak for themselves as Rangers became the worst Champions League group stage side in history.

The Ibrox boss offered an honest assessment as he admitted his side struggled on their return to elite European competition but immediately targeted back-to-back qualification and an improved showing next season.

Quizzed on the record-breaking nightmare campaign, Van Bronckhorst said: "Those are facts. I cannot change the facts.

"We were pushing really hard to qualify for the Champions League, which we achieved this year.

"We struggled in the Champions League so we need to learn from it, try to qualify again next year and then do better than this year."

However, Van Bronckhorst did cite the league assistance for Ajax ahead of the match but stopped short of calling on the SPFL for more help for clubs competing in Europe.

The Eredivisie club were given a free weekend ahead of the trip to Ibrox while Rangers battled to victory over Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon.

James Tavernier had suggested there was a lack of fight and hunger from Rangers when compared to that of their Champions League opposition.

And challenged on the claim from his captain, Van Bronckhorst responded: "Well, I mean they had six days off. Their league is thinking about their players so they played the last game last week on Wednesday and come here really fresh.

"We, of course, played a game, and have some injuries so it was tough today. We tried but these are teams who are competing for several years on this level."

Pushed on whether Scottish clubs need more help to challenge in Europe, the Rangers boss added: "I mean helping, that's from the league. They haven't had a game on the weekend, that's the difference.

"I don't say we need help, I just say they had a free weekend."