Former Arsenal defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst has admitted he would like to manage Rangers one day.

The 44-year-old will end his spell as Feyenoord manager when his contract expires at the end of June and, as such, attention has turned to what he will do when he leaves the side he guided to their first Dutch title in 18 years.

“Rangers are a special football club, and I always look out for their results,” he told the Sunday Post.

“For me to have been a part of their history is a wonderful feeling, and very humbling.

“It is clear to see the club is heading in the right direction and significant improvements have been made in the past year.

“For a couple of years, they were struggling to get close to the level of Celtic. But that is now not the case.

“Thanks to a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and the appointment of Steven Gerrard as manager, the club is now heading the right way, and they are now very, very close to being at the same level on the park.

“They now have to take the positives of the two victories against Celtic at Ibrox this season, and bring that mentality and skill over the course of a full campaign.

“Of course, it is an important period coming up, and they look as though they are ready to go and properly challenge.

“This will be a test for Celtic, because Rangers are ready. Celtic will not get it easy next season, we all know that. For a couple of years, they were struggling to get close to Celtic. That’s not now the case.

“You must give respect to Steven, his coaching staff, the players and supporters for their hard work over the past year. He is doing very well.

“To be the manager of Rangers is a huge honour, of course.

“I’ve been linked with it once or twice, and that was very nice.

“It’s a great football club and has a special feeling in my heart. So it was a huge compliment.

“But I was totally committed and focused on Feyenoord.

“You never know what may happen in the future, and we all know that it is never wise to try to predict where your career may take you.

“You never know what happens because I know the club and have nice feelings for it.

“But it’s important for everyone to support Steven and the players next season. That is the only focus.”

Van Bronckhorst signed for Rangers from Feyenoord in 1998 and won the treble in his first season. Arsenal signed him a few years later, in 2001, for £12.15m, a profit of almost 100% for the Scottish side who had paid just £6.75m for him. Those were the only fees paid for the defender throughout his career.

He stayed at the club until 2003 when he was sent on loan to Barcelona. A free transfer followed in 2004.

Van Bronckhorst left Barca to return to Feyenoord on another free in 2007. He retired from playing three years later.