With the start of a new week and the last few days of June to follow, all things Rangers will now pick up pace as pre-season preparations begin.
Yes, most of the playing squad will return to Auchenhowie on Monday for tests and assessments, with the typical physical workload to follow.
The return to business was confirmed by the club’s social media team, plugging the content of Rangers TV as the ‘home of pre-season’:
Back to work 💪
📺 RangersTV is your home for pre-season.
👉 https://t.co/nLczsr3Wob pic.twitter.com/K6j1WeW9DF
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 27, 2022
From now, it is just under two weeks until the first main friendly of the Summer, against Sunderland in Portugal with the Premiership season opener away to Livingston coming three weeks later.
The start of the crucial Champions League qualifiers quickly follows that fixture is West Lothian, providing the timeline for when Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team must be ready. The outcome of those Euro games will have a bearing on the season to come, with the considerable finances involved for reaching the top tournament. If the team fails to clear that hurdle again, at either the 3rd QR or the Playoff, Europa League group stage participation will automatically be confirmed.
Plenty of work is required on the pitch from the players, GvB and staff as well as off it, in terms of player trading with some additions essential just as there will be departures ahead. Early business will likely involved one or two new players earmarked in line with the known budget available to spend. Subsequent deals will depend on those heading for the exit with much of any sales fees able to be reinvested.
Expect that business to get under way this week as we gear up for the 22/23 campaign, as of today.