Rangers have released the latest training snaps from the club’s Auchenhowie training centre as the squad prepares for the visit of Hibs.
David Gray’s Hibees side are 15 games without a defeat in the Scottish Premiership and Rangers know they will have to be at their best to end that run at Ibrox.
Neil McCann talked up Hibs pre-match and with that Europa League quarter final against Athletic Bilbao looming large, Barry Ferguson and co won’t allow anyone to take their eye off the ball.
Here’s five things we noticed from the latest Rangers training ground snaps as the club prepares to face off against the Hibees in Glasgow’s southside.
The times they a’changing at Rangers
Rangers have been through a long, hard, cold winter ever since the events of 2012 but brighter days certainly appear to be on the horizon, literally.
The first thing you’ll notice from this latest round of training snaps is the excellent weather at Auchenhowie as the Rangers team ditch the trackies.
It’s not quite t-shirt weather yet but with the shorts out there’s a feeling spring is upon us and it’s unclear if Rangers are getting ready to smell the daffodils under Barry Ferguson.
There is US investment ahead for Rangers, but the brighter days are already here with the change in weather set to be welcomed by the Rangers squad.
Liam Kelly focused and ready if called upon
Jack Butland continues to come under the microscope at Rangers after a challenging second season in Glasgow.
Butland was Rangers’ Player of the Year last season but has made some high-profile gaffes in a difficult campaign for the stopper.
There have been highs of course, Butland was the hero v Fenerbahce, but another gaff against Dundee has Rangers fans raising yet more concerns.
Liam Kelly was snapped in full focus as the former Motherwell stopper and Scotland hopeful waits in the wings for his opportunity.
Rafael Fernandes out in the Rangers woods
Rafael Fernandes joined Rangers on a loan-to-buy deal this January but has found chances at a premium ever since.
Indeed, the 22-year-old Lille defender is yet to make an appearance under Barry Ferguson with big doubts surrounding a potential £2.7m Rangers move for Fernandes this summer.
John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Robin Propper, Dujon Sterling and Clinton Nsiala were all pictured in Rangers training with the stopper out of the picture.
A forlorn looking Fernandes was snapped all on his lonesome as he desperately tries to break into the Rangers team.
Young Rangers trio being put through their paces
Bailey Rice is a doubt for the Rangers clash with Hibs but the Scotland midfielder isn’t the only youngster breaking through at Rangers.
Snaps have shown three talented young players in particular working with the Rangers first-team as they look to earn more opportunities under Barry Ferguson.
Paul Nsio has made his Rangers breakthrough this season, earning minutes in the Europa League, Scottish Premiership and League Cup.
Findlay Curtis is another Rangers academy talent who has impressed at times this campaign, with ex-AC Milan defender Clinton Nsiala also heavily involved in training.
Tom Lawrence fully engaged amid Rangers exit speculation
Tom Lawrence is experiencing something of a resurgence at Rangers and was snapped working hard at Auchenhowie.
But the future of the Rangers playmaker is the subject of much debate amid reports Lawrence is interesting Championship hopefuls Wrexham.
Out of contract in the summer, it’s also claimed that Lawrence might consider staying at Rangers whilst reports surrounding the option of another year have been talked down.
It’s a big week for the midfielder, who is likely to start at Ibrox in place of the suspended Mohamed Diomande when Athletic Bilbao visit Glasgow in the Europa League.
