Rangers won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 13 years and reached the Europa League final in a season which will go down as one of the best in recent memory at Ibrox, despite the Light Blues missing out on the Premiership crown.
The onus for Giovanni van Bronckhorst now is to build on that success and form a side which can reclaim the league title from their Glasgow arch-rivals and continue the club’s impressive European form, hopefully by qualifying for the Champions League group stage.
One of the Dutchman’s key tasks over the summer will be to secure long-term deals for a few players whose contracts expire next year. As it stands, the likes of Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo, and Alfredo Morelos are all free to look for another club next January, and this needs to be nipped in the bud sooner rather than later.
There is some good news on that front, though, with Gers insider The 4th Official now stating that “Rangers have no intention of selling him”, which is in reference to Aribo as interest from Crystal Palace appears to be growing.
Rangers fans will surely be absolutely ecstatic to hear this news, as the 25-year-old has been one of the Ibrox club's key players over the previous two campaigns.
The Nigeria international has scored 17 times in all competitions during 2020/21 and 2021/22, while also adding 17 assists, showing that his creative spark could well be crucial to any Gers success.
Aribo has proved his defensive worth this season, too. Compared to positional peers in the top five leagues in Europe, the 25-year-old ranks in the top 1% for aerial duels won (3.18 per 90) and also in the top 5% for interceptions (1.71 per 90) and clearances (1.06).
If there is one player that Van Bronckhorst needs to keep at Rangers next season (and beyond, preferably), it is arguably Aribo, as the above statistics show how vital he is at Ibrox.
Despite the positive transfer twist emerging about the midfielder, the Gers faithful might still have to endure a nerve-wracking summer until the Nigerian's future is nailed down officially.