Rangers stepped up their pre-season graft with a sun-soaked 2-1 victory over Blackpool. Goals from Borna Barisic and Charlie McCann gave a huge raft of travelling fans something to cheer as Gio van Bronckhorst handed game-time to first-team regulars, new signings and rising stars alike.
Not among them, however, was Calvin Bassey as hype continues to build over a potential move to Ajax. But, at least for 90 minutes, it mattered little to the Rangers support as they took over Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
They were provided with two very different displays from their team, as a sleepy first period gave way to a far more purposeful and encouraging second 45. Barisic set Rangers on their way with a rare right-footed strike but van Bronckhorst rung the changes - introducing Rabbi Matondo, Tom Lawrence and John Souttar to the fray.
But it was the B-team star among them in McCann who swept home the decisive strike and seal victory over their EFL Championship opponents despite a late consolation strike from Beryly Lubala. A bright start from the hosts gradually segued into Rangers taking control of possession and territory, albeit without really threatening in the opening 20 minutes. Much of the play, however, was in front of the Seasiders, the quick combinations in the final third being snuffed out by the sharp-tackling hosts.
And they should've taken the lead as the half hour mark approached, but Callum Connelly failed to find the target with a short-range header from Josh Bowler's corner. Rangers did have the ball in the net moments later but Antonio Colak's smart finish from James Tavernier's pass was instantly ruled out, the new signing having strayed well offside.
Rangers were trying to find the feet of Colak quickly through midfield but Blackpool were rapidly and repeatedly on the Croatian's case when the service wasn't quite up to scratch. Despite the capacity crowd it was largely typical pre-season fare all the way through to the break. Rangers threatened to threaten on a couple of occasions, the most eye-catching being a sublime Glen Kamara turn but his lay-off to Ryan Kent was snuffed out.
Blackpool will argue they had the better chances in the first 45 and a teasing ball across goal from the lively Bowler deserved more than fizzing out for a goal-kick. Rangers made three changes at the interval as Allan McGregor, Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara making way for Jon McLaughlin, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield.
There was greater purpose in Rangers' play from the outset of the second period and it yielded a fine goal from Barisic. The left-back picked up the ball in the Blackpool box before driving inwards and curling a perfectly-placed right foot shot into the far corner.
Following his team-mate's lead, Kent almost followed suit, albeit from further out, with a dipping drive that Blackpool keeper Dan Grimshaw did well to keep out. A raft of changes for Rangers soon followed, including a look at new signings John Souttar, Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence for the final 25 minutes.
Matondo immediately looked sharp, suggesting he'll bring pace and trickery to a Rangers right wing berth that hasn't been nailed down by anyone in recent years. When the second goal did arrive, however, it was a B team star rather than a new signing that found the net.
A Blackpool corner was cleared only as far as McCann and he did well to keep his half volley down, never mind rifle it low into the corner. It was a second goal Rangers deserved, one that capped off a decent workout in the seaside sunshine and made sure Lubala's well-taken goal with two minutes to play meant little.
3 talking points
Bassey left out
The Nigerian's future was the big pre-match talking point and his absence from van Bronckhorst's team sheet further fuelled talk of a seemingly imminent move to Ajax. The Dutch giants have moved swiftly in their quest to replace Lisandro Martinez and Bassey appears to be the man for the job.
That he missed out wasn't unexpected, given how rapidly the situation appears to have evolved in recent days. A report on Friday night indicated the deal could be done as early as next week.
Given how pivotal the 22-year-old was in Rangers' run to the Europa League Final and in winning the Scottish Cup, it's somewhat of a shame that it appears he won't get a proper farewell in front of a support that has very much taken him to their hearts.
A rarity from Barisic
He doesn't score many, does Borna Barisic. Even less so with his right foot.
But his superbly taken goal proved the difference in a friendly clash that came to lift after the interval after an interminably dull opening period. There was much more of an edge about Van Bronckhorst's side and that exemplified by the full-back's driving run inside followed by a fine finish.
With Bassey seemingly on the way out, Barisic appears to set to remain the club's first-choice left-back. The 29-year-old was a real mixed bag last season, falling out of the picture for several weeks after a tormenting at Celtic Park before returning to feature heavily in Rangers' march to Seville.
Fans will hope there's more of the latter next term.
Davis runs the show
Whenever his team are lacking in fluidity and rhythm, there's one man Van Bronckhorst has turned to time and again. Steven Davis may be 37 but, with an ability to simplify the game so effortlessly it could fool your average Sunday League bruiser into thinking he could do a job at this level, it's a number that matters little.
The club's decision to hand new deals to veteran trio Davis, Arfield and McGregor was met with groans by some but, of all three, retaining the Northern Irishman makes the most sense. He was impeccable after being introduced at half-time and it can't be a coincidence that Rangers were much better once he started pulling the strings.
Don't expect him to feature every week and, yes, it's only pre-season, but Davis has again suggested he still has plenty to offer. And Rangers fans should appreciate him while they still can.
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