rangers.co.uk/news/opinion/item/4418-grounds-for-optimism THIS is my fifth summer on the road with Rangers and – so far at least – it’s the warm-up campaign which is filling me most with optimism ahead of a new campaign. Perhaps that stems from obvious improvements after the on-pitch difficulties the team encountered last term. Maybe it’s just because it’s nice to be talking about football again rather than energy-sapping off-field matters. Whatever the reason, what I’ve taken in over the last fortnight has done much to convince me this can be the sort of season so many of you are hoping it will be. Appearances can be deceptive, of course, and a few weeks of preparation before a new term aren’t always indicative of how things will go. Back in 2008, as the squad lurched back into action in rural Holland after the pain of losing the UEFA Cup and the SPL in quick succession, pre-season was a long, laborious process. But just over 10 months later, Walter Smith’s men were champions again and they threw in a Scottish Cup win for good measure. You’d never have predicted that in De Lutte. These are changed days at Ibrox and at a different level for now, it’ll be the best part of three years at least before we can consider the prospect of winning the top flight once again. As for a major cup win? A couple of results last year told us it’s maybe too early for that too but there will be plenty out there who believe differently and why shouldn’t they? Gers did go as far as the quarter-finals of the League Cup last October, after all, and they wouldn’t be the first Second Division side to go a step or two further in a big knockout event if they did that this time. With a kind draw or two and better performances from a pool which is stronger and more experienced than back then? There’s no question it could be done. For the sake of tempering expectations to something short of a crescendo, it’s probably best we all allow the team to settle, gel and prove itself first before getting too carried away. We’ll find out over the course of time just what the current crop will achieve – but we’re already learning very quickly about what they’re capable of and it’s encouraging to see. Under new head of sports science Jim Henry, the Light Blues have taken a different approach so far this summer and fitness levels have undoubtedly risen. It was interesting Nicky Law volunteered this has probably been his toughest pre-season as a professional when we chatted on Saturday, mainly because he’s not the only one to say it. And having watched some of the sessions the squad has been put through both at Murray Park and here in Brora, it’s not hard to see why. Sessions are long, intense and demanding. If anyone dares to consider slackening off, they’re barked at and cajoled into pushing themselves even harder. The fact spirits remain high despite the punishing workouts they’re going through says a lot. Old players and new are clicking and they all like the direction they’re heading in. It goes without saying that 20 days before the first competitive outing of 2013/14 in the Ramsdens Cup against Albion Rovers, there’s a lot of work yet to be done. The first signs are certainly good though and that was reflected by the second-half showing in particular against Brora yesterday. I’m not sure if it was by design that the starting XI was along similar lines to many of the teams we saw representing the club last season. But the introduction of 10 substitutes at the break including new recruits Law, Nicky Clark and Jon Daly suggested a blend of the best from both sides can work for McCoist. Neither striker scored but the way they linked showed their partnership has potential and Law’s a tenacious runner who’ll provide a spark which wasn’t always there last year. Big Belil Mohsni – having looked somewhat cumbersome at training on Saturday – also turned in a performance which changed beliefs I’d formed about him 24 hours earlier. Confident in possession, a good organiser and someone who wins high balls both in defence and attack, he did his chances of getting a deal with the club no harm at all. It wasn’t just incoming faces who gave McCoist something to think about. With his two goals taken so well, the sight of Lewis Macleod celebrating them was a joy after his knee injury. Kyle Hutton defied the opinion he spends more time thinking about Nando’s than football with a strong, bustling display. Kyle McAusland made a most welcome mark after almost nine months playing first-team football at Ayr United. And the tireless Robbie Crawford – having come 21st in the Glasgow Men’s 10k last month in just over 36 minutes – showed why the manager holds him in such high esteem. It was only one game and with five more to come before the serious stuff starts, plenty of water has still to pass under the bridge. But to briefly stick with the analogy, the river is flowing more freely than before – and those who were at Dudgeon Park yesterday will agree there’s good reason to feel upbeat thus far.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 13:05:10 +0000
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