GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst has addressed Rangers supporters and stakeholders in his manager's review in the club's annual report.
The Ibrox boss offered his take on the past 12 months at Rangers as he approaches one year in position at the club.
However, Van Bronckhorst is under serious pressure with fans growing frustrated with recent performances and accompanying results.
Supporters were left furious after defeat to St Johnstone in Perth last weekend with Rangers now seven points adrift of Celtic at the Scottish Premiership summit.
But, in his review, Van Bronckhorst has focused on the positives of the past year citing the incredible run to the Europa League final and qualification for the Champions League.
The Dutchman then hailed the Scottish Cup triumph last season as he opened up on his ongoing work alongside Ross Wilson in player recruitment and improving the infrastructure of the club.
In closing, Van Bronckhorst thanked supporters and stakeholders for "the backing you give us both on and off the pitch".
Here is Giovanni van Bronckhorst's football manager's review in full...
"It is an honour to be addressing you today as the manager of Rangers Football Club as I write for the first time in the annual report.
"Just under a year ago, I was approached to be the manager of this great football club and institution, and having had such a special time here as a player, it was a decision that was very easy for me. I have been fortunate to have featured in some of the biggest matches in world football, to have played at some of the most famous stadiums and have won so many prizes, but my time in Glasgow always retained a special place in my heart. Yes, we had a very good team in a very good moment when I was here previously, but it was the warmth of the people and the incredible backing – unmatched almost anywhere else in world football – from you, our supporters, that made Rangers such a special place. And in the last 12 months, all the memories of the past have come flooding back as we have created new memories with some truly unbelievable days and nights both at home and abroad.
"Forefront to that has been some of the astonishing European nights we have had. To firstly come in and defeat Sparta Prague to qualify for the knockout stages was a very early target, and one that was very important for us as a club and I was delighted to achieve that. What was to follow though was down to not only some outstanding work from my staff and my players, but a belief that ran right through the club that we were onto something special. To beat Dortmund over two legs was a fantastic achievement when you consider their power and stature within the game. Red Star were a very different challenge, and a really strong and experienced European opponent, but we showed great mental strength away in Belgrade when we were up against it to get ourselves through. Against Braga, we had it all to do at Ibrox, and while we were excellent on the night, there is no doubt the atmosphere played a massive role both for us and the opposition. And then there was Leipzig.
"Again, we had it all to do, and coming into that second leg, we had to deal with the loss of our beloved kitman, Jimmy, just two days before the match.
"What followed was one of the most emotional nights of my career as again, my players and staff delivered in front of the loudest noise I have ever heard in my life, and I have no doubt Jimmy was watching down on us cheering us on in his own unique way.
"To take 100,000 supporters to Seville at 13 days’ notice just shows the incredible power this club has, and every single one who travelled must be commended for the outstanding way in which they enjoyed themselves. I just wish we could have got ourselves over the line that night, but it wasn’t to be.
"At the end of the day, Rangers is about winning, and I was so pleased for everyone associated with the club that just three days after Seville, we defeated Hearts to win the Scottish Cup for the first time in 13 years.
"This new season saw us enter the market early to strengthen the squad in order to be ready to navigate the Champions League qualifiers and reach the Group Stage for the first time in 12 years.
"Of course, we were all delighted to successfully get there, and I was particularly pleased with the courage and determination shown by our players over two difficult ties with PSV. Given we had moved early in the market, it was pleasing to see some of our summer recruits scoring the goals that took us there – Colak, Tillman and Lawrence. Along with our Sporting Director, Ross Wilson, I will never stop striving to make us better. Ross is focused on developing the whole football side of the club from our youngest academy team and we work closely together to ensure the first team keeps progressing as our number one focus, not only on the pitch but also in the facilities and infrastructure.
"Qualifying for the Champions League was the last major milestone in the Club’s footballing ‘recovery’, and while there is no doubt it has been a difficult challenge for us, I believe we will be better for these, tough experiences in the seasons to come.
"I want to again put on record my sincere thanks to you, our shareholders and supporters, for the backing you give us both on and off the pitch. Everything we do, we do to try and make you proud.
"This is one of the truly great football clubs in the world, and I am incredibly proud to be its manager."
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