IT was a case of what might have been, a season that promised much yet delivered little for Rangers.

The same could be said for Philippe Senderos. There are no regrets for the 32-year-old, though.

Senderos was the final signing that Mark Warburton made at Ibrox last summer as the Englishman prepared for a crack at the Premiership.

The move to Glasgow was a new chapter in the defender’s career. The story of the season won’t be fondly told by the Light Blue legions, however.

After just four appearances for the Gers, Senderos became one of a host of departures during the close season as boss Pedro Caixinha cleared the decks for his own shot at the top flight this term.

Rangers never landed a blow on Celtic last season. Now, Senderos knows they must put up a fight.

“It was difficult and last year was a transition from the Championship to the Premiership,” he told SportTimes.

“For sure, it was going to be a difficult year and this year is the time to push. I am a Rangers fan and I hope for the best for the team.

“They have to close the gap. Last year, the important thing was for Rangers to be back in the Premiership and to fight at the top.

“We finished third and of course that was disappointing for the size of club that Rangers is. Anything less than first is bad.

“But they are on the right path this year and are trying to close the gap as much as possible. “Celtic are an established side who have played in the Champions League in the last few years, so of course they are going to have an advantage. But Rangers are there fighting and that is what they need to do.”

After putting pen-to-paper on a twelve month deal at Ibrox last August, Senderos made his Rangers debut a fortnight later at Parkhead.

It would turn into an afternoon to forget rather than one to savour, though, as Celtic ran out 5-1 winners and the former Arsenal, AC Milan and Valencia star saw red.

The first Old Firm showdown of the campaign this afternoon will see another handful of Rangers recruits make their derby debuts as Caixinha attempts to recover from his own comprehensive defeat.

“It is a massive game, a massive occasion for the club and you really realise how big the game is,” Senderos said.

“It is another derby that I have played in and it ranks right up there with the biggest derbies, for sure. You have to embrace the occasion and give your most for the club.

“You have to enjoy it. We are not talking about a bad thing, this is a football game and you have to try and enjoy it.

“In any game, if you do your job well the results will come. My biggest advice is to enjoy it and go out there and try and show who the best team is.

“I hope Rangers do well and I would be happy for the fans, who deserve it. Hopefully they can get a big win.”

Senderos would make just three more appearances after that Old Firm reverse as Warburton fielded him in the win over Partick Thistle and draw with Ross County at Ibrox.

The following weekend, with Warburton having left the club, he turned out in Light Blue for the final time as Graeme Murty’s side beat Morton in the Scottish Cup.

His impact on the field was limited. Rangers still left an impression on Senderos, though.

“It is a massive club and it was a great experience,” he said. “It wasn’t great in terms of the football, but it was good to play for a club like Rangers.

“The club was going in the right direction and I hope the best for them and that this year they can fight for the title.

“To play at Ibrox in front of 50,000 was amazing and that was definitely a highlight. It is a massive club and it was a privilege to play there.

“The club was going in a way and I am happy I was part of that for a year. My contract was for a year and then we decided to end it there.

“I am really happy I had the chance to play for Rangers, the best thing about the club is the fans.

“Players come and go. I came and I left. There are no regrets, no hard feelings.

“I had a good time in Scotland and I am very proud to have played for Rangers. Not many players can say that.

“I have no bad words to say about Rangers and I will be a Rangers fan from now on.”

The appointment of Caixinha in March didn’t offer Senderos a second chance at Ibrox. Instead, the writing was on the wall.

A move Stateside has now given the defender a fresh challenge after he agreed a deal with Major League Soccer outfit Houston Dynamo.

After a disappointing campaign at Ibrox, it is an opportunity that the former Swiss international is determined to make the most of.

Senderos said: “I always wanted to experience living in America and at this time in my career, after different conversations and different options that I had, this is what I thought was the best option. It is quite a big change.

“I enjoyed being in Glasgow but it is different here in terms of the weather, the travelling and I will get used to that. It is not about comparing it to Europe. I am ready for a new experience.

“That is what I wanted and what I was looking for so I am really looking forward to my time here.

“I want to enjoy playing football. This career is not very long so you have to enjoy as much as you can.”