Rangers fans almost wanted the season to be over in October in one of the most bizarre in recent memory.
From miles and years behind, it seemed like there was little any new manager could do to cut the gap only for Philippe Clement to drag his squad almost to immortality until the usual suspects blew their chance for redemption.
Clement knows full well the size of the task that he has on his hands with Rangers rebuild and there has been some positive news.
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Philippe Clement hints at early Rangers transfer business
The arrival of Oscar Cortes and Mohamed Diomande in January saw the start of a new direction in terms of transfer strategy.
It is a strategy that has already been followed up with the signing of Jefte with the Brazilian left-back ticking all the right boxes.
Tall, athletic, fast, comfortable on the ball, everything that a successful Rangers player should be.
If he is the template then Rangers fans could be in for a very exciting summer.
Speaking after the defeat to Celtic, Philippe Clement suggested that it won’t be long until other faces are seen at Auchenhowie with the red, blue and white scarf above their head:
“We need to be really inventive in our transfers and doing the smart things.
“It is going to be really challenging but we are busy already with that for months within the club.
“You see already that we bring in Jefte yesterday, who is a young player, talented. They will need also their time to adapt. How long? That is always difficult to predict.
“Some players they adapt really fast, some players need more time but we are working hard to get more quality in the building.”
Rangers rebuild has been underway since Nils Koppen arrived
The results between January and the end of the season will have done little to change the plan.
The squad is full of players who can’t stay fit or don’t have anything like the quality needed to win the Scottish Premiership and consistently beat Celtic.
There aren’t enough saleable assets or big earners who are key players and there is a shortage of locally trained players too.
It was always going to be a huge job and Nils Koppen starting almost the day he arrived was essential.
The recruitment chief might look at deals for Oscar Cortes and Abdallah Sima if the price is right, however, getting as many players in who strengthen the first team as soon as possible will be key for the Champions League qualifiers and the start of the league campaign.
A repeat of last summer could set Rangers back even further given the riches on offer in the Champions League now.
