VICTORIA ESSON feels she has ‘unfinished business’ at Rangers after agreeing a deal to extend her stay at the club.
The 33-year-old, who joined the Gers in the summer of 2022, will continue her career in Glasgow into a third campaign after signing a one-year extension.
Speaking to the official club website after committing her future to the Light Blues, the goalkeeper is keen to add the league title to her three trophies that she has achieved during her time in Scotland so far.
She said: “It has been an interesting season; we did learn a bit of a lesson last year. It was a three-horse race at the top and it came down to the last game.
“Again this year it has come down to the last game and unfortunately to something as close as goal difference and you think after 40 or so games it wouldn't come to that, but that is how tight the top of this league is.
“It means we have got something to play for, all in all the season is I can't quite say a successful one because I don't think we really achieved everything we wanted to achieve.
“However, there were definitely success elements within it and I don't think that they can be completely overlooked but all in all I don't feel like I am quite done at Rangers and that is another reason that I had to sign.
“It is very exciting; I do feel like there was unfinished business from the 2024 season and I am really hoping that next year that we can hit the ground running from the get-go.
“The Champions League happens quite quickly but as we have learned this year that Champions League and the cups are important but the league you have to really get going from the beginning.
“You have to score as many goals as you can and you have to be relentless.
“You can't drop points because 40 something games down the line that cost us this year so we really need to just hit the ground running and go for it as soon as we start that first game.”
The New Zealand international has reflected on her time at the Gers so far and what it was initially like settling into playing in a new country, saying she is excited at the prospect of what lies ahead.
She continued: “I think in the first year there is a lot of unknowns and that is where you learn a lot, whilst also trying to win the league and we had Champions League quite quickly after I arrived.
“I was hitting the ground running I felt like when I came to Rangers and the girls were fantastic, they have always welcomed me with open arms.
“Last year obviously I came in late because of the World Cup, again it was quite quick starting into games.
“This year it is actually going to be a bit of a copy and paste with a similar situation but I know Jo now and know what she expects and I definitely hope to again hit the ground running when I come back in and I am delighted to be joining the girls again.
“It is a great group of girls and good coaching staff; I am really looking forward to another season at Rangers.”
The shot stopper has been competing with Jenna Fife for the number one jersey in the past two campaigns and she feels their relationship is key for pushing each to improve.
She added: “Jenna and I have a pretty good relationship and I really enjoy the challenge she brings me at training but also her friendship on and off the pitch.
“It is a very special relationship I think we have and I am very grateful for it because it is a tight dynamic that we have between the two of us.
“We look to push each other on the pitch but I like to think that we are good people as well and good humans and that always takes you a long way because it means that I enjoy my place of work and I hope she does too.”