Rangers headed out to Spain on Sunday for our pre-season training camp ahead of the 2018/19 season.
Having had a few days at our newly titled Hummel Training Centre as people settled back into pre-season after a busy summer that not only has seen the arrival of new manager Steven Gerrard and his backroom staff, but also quite a few new players, the real hard work can now begin on our ten-day trip.
????????✈️ The Gers are off to Spain! Steven Gerrard and his squad headed off to their pre-season training camp this morning.
More ???? https://t.co/ysk3CegMJK pic.twitter.com/OkT50RD4Y9
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 17, 2018
Speaking to the Official Site ahead of our flight out, Gerrard acknowledged all the changes at the club and insisted that his sole focus was on fitness, getting the players to the right levels and starting to get his message across when it comes to how he wants the squad to play this coming season. The greater benefit of the trip abroad was in bringing the group together and team bonding.
“The key to Spain is obviously fitness and we keep everyone healthy, we push them and we give them the right level of training and the right volume every single day to push the fitness levels. But, more importantly, it is to live together and for the players to get used to the staff and the staff to get used to the players and we start this team bonding and the camaraderie and we get the squad in a good place.”
Gerrard went on to reference last season, and from his more distant perspective, he felt that the squad had been ‘disjointed’ and he knows everyone has to be singing off the same hymn sheet, especially at a club like Rangers and a shared attitude and understanding will be what he continues to work on from day one.
Connor Goldson has joined up with #RangersFC in Spain ???? pic.twitter.com/upXFyPSRvH
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 17, 2018
He did remind the fans that patience would be needed as there would certainly be ups and downs along the way.
“I know the size of this football club, and I know there are Rangers fans all over the world. I know they are craving success, but it is going to take time, there are going to be stages and there is going to be a bit of turbulence along the way, but there is no doubt about it, they have a person in charge who is going to try and lead that and is as hungry as them. I hope they can bounce off me and I can bounce off them, and together, we can move this club forward, that is my only concern at this moment.”
Whether or not Gerrard gets that patience from fans remains to be seen, but there’s certainly a buoyant optimism this summer.
Docherty and Rossiter with Gerrard as their manager? Boys that have plenty ability already, this could be huge for their development, looking forward to seeing them kick on
— Gavin Kelly (@gmkelly1979) June 17, 2018
Hope the gaffer gets a good look at the team. We see a few extra New faces come in
— Glenn Ferguson (@nihly13) June 17, 2018
if he wins the title al be looking at him the exact same ????????
— loyalist wee sox. (@colincaRfc1873) June 17, 2018
Hard work for the troops starts here, The Gaffer is the consummate professional. Come on the rangers!
— DJ (@bluedave1872) June 17, 2018
Now the hard work starts lads please don’t treat it like a wee holiday too much haha
— Lennox Richardson (@lennyrfc) June 17, 2018