Michael Beale starts his first full season as Rangers manager with no excuses, the board has backed him, he has the players that he wants and the injury list looks normal for once.
Ahead of our opening league game with Kilmarnock, the Gers boss has several players who could make their debuts but there will still be a familiarity, especially in defence.
Speaking as part of the pre-match build up, Michael Beale gave a squad update with both good and bad news via Rangers TV.
Michael Beale names first 2023/24 Rangers squad ahead of Kilmarnock trip
The good news is that Connor Goldson is back.
The good news continues with the revelation that Jose Cifuentes will go straight into the squad.
Depending on your opinion on who should start, Ridvan Yilmaz being missing could be taken either way.
The Turkey international has looked positive in attack and more suitable for Michael Beale’s Rangers set up, but he has made mistakes at the other end.
Which means that the defence will almost be the same as it was in 2018 with Borna Barisic, Connor Goldson and James Tavernier all lining up together.
If they reproduce the same form of 2020/21 then we will be fine.
Jose Cifuentes was halfway through the MLS season when he was signed and is fresh off a two-week break.
The Ecuador international won’t start but he should certainly be seen off the bench.
Michael Beale knows what is expected at Rangers and bringing in new players is only half the battle.
The players like Tavernier, Barisic and Goldson that have been here for a long time have to buy into the change or the excitement of players like Cifuentes arriving will soon evaporate.
