DONALD Gillies says everyone at Rangers is keen to learn from the way the last campaign panned out and to go one better in the new season ahead.
The Light Blues are currently ramping up preparations ahead of the competitive action returning, as they target silverware throughout 26/27 in what will be Leanne Crichton’s second campaign in charge, with a full pre-season to work with the squad this time around.
Reflecting back, the Women’s and Girls’ Managing Director acknowledges the difficulty of how the final weeks ended, but stressed the eagerness to use the experience in a positive manner.
He commented: “I think you need to start by ultimately saying it was unsuccessful; I don't think you can get away from that, but I don't think you can shy away from not achieving your goals, which we didn't.
“Once again, obviously looking into it a little bit more deeply from a place of reflection as opposed to the immediate reaction, you can kind of rationalise a lot of the elements within the season.
“We didn't get off to a good start; even Leanne coming in was delayed, so no pre-season, straight into one friendly then the league off the back of it.
“The players that had left the squad quite late in that window as well, and whilst we worked hard to replace them with quality, it takes time for those teams to then come together off the back of it.
“Then, in retrospect, I would probably reflect and think if we had been up to speed at an earlier point in the season, I am talking about like the Glasgow City game at Ibrox when we conceded a sloppy set piece.
“The 2-2 game with Hearts at Ibrox, when we were winning with eight minutes to go and we never really played particularly well in many of the opening games, maybe with the exception of City at Ibrox, I thought we were good in that game.
“I think that is potentially, in retrospect, where the damage was done. I think the way that the season obviously ended made it incredibly bitter; I don't think anybody saw the result at Glasgow City coming.
"I think we all went into it with optimism, with a thought of wanting to take care of the matter at hand and what we could control, and unfortunately we didn't manage to get to the point where I think our mindset was right after conceding a goal.
“I think we ran out of emotional and physical juice, if you like, maybe just a couple of weeks too early.
“You then look at the Scottish Cup final as well and say the other team took their chance, defended really well and deserved to walk away with a trophy which is correct at the end of the day, but I think if you looked at the play as a whole you would say Rangers were the better team, but it doesn't matter, it is about winning trophies at this club.
“For us, we would reflect and say it was an unsuccessful season, but coming away from it with things like lessons learned.
“Even going into this transfer window, the type of player that we have wanted to recruit, profile, age, position and also the players that have moved on from us, understanding the hole that they leave and how we can add more and not just replacing that like for like.
“In reflection, extremely disappointing to not come away with something; you are effectively in three cup finals, and we don't perform the way you would want to perform in those, which I think is the thing that Leanne and the squad are definitely most keen to put right this year.”
Looking ahead, the Gers have the unique chance to host the Women’s Champions League qualifying second round mini-tournament for the first time, with Gillies saying it is great to showcase the Scottish game and give fans a chance to see a variety of different European clubs in action.
He added: “It is a great opportunity for us. We were in a position where there was a gap that allowed us to fill, and considering performance outcomes, it is a great opportunity for us to not have to travel.
“To be training in familiar places, to go to a familiar stadium and prepare as best as we possibly can. Last year when we were in Italy, the year before we were in Spain, and I think going into the qualifying draw you never quite know which way that is going to work out.
“There has definitely been a long-term view where let's sample different parts of European football in order for us to allow us to try and prepare, but this year I didn't want to travel abroad so close to the earlier stages of the Champions League because they are earlier this year due to the World Cup in the summer of next year in 2027.
“Staying at home made more sense; staying locally, as in within the UK, made more sense, but then the opportunity came up to host as well and hopefully it will just make it smoother in terms of our preparation for us.
“There are definitely advantages, a lot of work that is going to go into it in the background and hopefully Scotland can show itself as the class place for hosting these types of events.
“I am sure supporters will enjoy seeing a game of different teams in the Ajax v Brondby game beforehand, then that final or semi-final depending on which one you go to.
“It is exciting to have it in Scotland from a performance perspective and to showcase the growth of the women's game.”
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