After a marathon 2021/22 campaign, Rangers are back at it for pre-season training.
It’s a first chance for Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his coaching staff to prepare the squad their way after arriving at Ibrox last November. Fitness levels should still be as high as anyone’s after only bringing the curtain down on the previous season just over one month ago.
Europa League Final heartbreak was followed up with a Scottish Cup Final victory over Hearts. That saw the famous old trophy adorned with blue and red ribbons for the first time since 2009 (not including Inverness CT).
A number of van Bronckhorst’s first team stars are yet to report back to Auchenhowie. Those on international duty this summer have been given some extra time off ahead of the squad flying out to Portugal next week. A number of other first team stars were out on the grass though.
There were smiles from captain James Tavernier while Connor Goldson is back and kicking off another four years after penning a bumper new deal. But the rest were being put through their paces as they geared up for the big restart at the end of July. Here are 4 things Record Sport spotted as Rangers got down to work.
Katic front and centre
The big Croat looked like his time in royal blue could be over after he was shipped out on loan last season to Hajduk Split in his homeland. However, he’s now back in Glasgow and seemingly still has a role to play at Ibrox.
Connor Goldson and John Souttar will likely be the first choice centre-back pairing this season. Filip Helander is an experienced back-up but hasn't been without his injury problems, while Jack Simpson can’t get a sniff and will almost certainly leave during the transfer window.
That leaves Katic as another option for van Bronckhorst and given he had to make do at times in the centre of defence, another natural defender back there is no bad thing. There’s also the chance that he could lose Calvin Bassey should any of the interested clubs pony up the fee Rangers would be looking for.
Same old Scott Arfield
It’s fair to say Scott Arfield is ready to go this summer. The midfielder penned a one-year extension to his contract after a strong end to last season. He helped fire the Gers into the Scottish Cup final with a vital equaliser against Celtic in the semi-finals.
He’s retired from international duty with Canada, meaning he was back in with the first group for pre-season. And his own assessment of his performance was positive to say the least. He told Rangers TV: “Day one done; couple of ‘megs, a goal, ain’t nothin’ changed! Five weeks off and I’ve come back like it’s nothing.”
Morelos on his bike
The Colombian was a big miss last season after being ruled out for the run-in with a thigh injury. Things got worse when deputy Kemar Roofe was also injured during the Hampden victory over Celtic.
Morelos obviously couldn’t play, but still made the trip to Seville for the Europa League Final. El Bufalo was snapped soaking up the city atmosphere with fans ahead of the meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gers fans will be hoping he isn’t back there any time soon. Sevilla have been credited with an interest in the frontman, who is in the final year of his contract at Ibrox. But it would be a welcome sight seeing him on the exercise bike at the club’s training base as he builds his fitness back up ahead of the new season. The priority now is making sure he starts it as a Rangers player.
Still to come
Souttar remains the only new first team signing this summer. And the former Hearts defender is one of those afforded an extra break after playing for Scotland over the summer.
Souttar was impressive against his new employers despite Hearts losing the Scottish Cup final. He was then in dark blue as Scotland crashed out of the World Cup play-offs before taking a Dublin dong against Ireland.
Souttar didn't travel for the final game against Armenia due to a fitness issue, confirmed by Steve Clarke. But he’ll join up with his new teammates ahead of their trip to Portugal. As will the other international stars. Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey featured for Nigeria, so have not yet reported back either.
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