MARK WARBURTON, the Rangers manager, believes his Championship winners will rise to the challenge of increased competition for places in the Premiership. Warburton has recruited eight players to his squad in recent weeks as Rangers set their sights on the top flight title next term.
Defender Lee Hodson became the latest signing when he joined the Gers on Wednesday and will provide cover for full-backs Lee Wallace and James Tavernier in the coming months.
It has been a productive summer so far for Warburton as he has added strength and depth to his squad ahead of the big kick-off and put his players through their paces in Charleston.
Rangers open their Premiership campaign against Hamilton Accies next month and Warburton is confident his side will reap the rewards of having more quality recruits on board and pushing for a spot in his starting line-up next season.
“All credit to Tav and Lee for playing every minutes of every game last season. It's testament to their fitness and hard work,” Warburton said. “But Lee Hodson has not come in here just to make up the numbers. He is an international player and he wants to play. There is no doubt he will push those guys really hard. Tav and Lee Wallace will know there's a challenge.
"The public perception would be that players don't want new signings coming in because they want to keep their shirt. It doesn't work that way. The better player want new players coming in. They want competition. They want to be challenged. They want to feel that every day in training counts. The very first day that Matt Gilks had in training, we saw a reaction from Wes Foderingham right away.
"That's what we want. We need good players coming in. I saw Niko Kranjcar for the first time and he looked excellent. I was delighted. He will put pressure on Andy Halliday and Jason Holt in midfield. With Jordan Rossiter and Harry Forrester we have options now - and good options.
"He (Hodson) has played in Scottish football before which is good but he's played at a good level with Watford. He's used to playing at big grounds at a young age and he dealt with that challenge.”
After several days of training in the South Carolina heat, Rangers will play their first friendly of the summer when they face local side Charleston Battery on Wednesday evening.
Defender Hodson has not jetted out to join the Gers in the States after being given time off to recover from the European Championships. But Warburton has no doubt the Northern Irishman will make an impact at Ibrox next term after clinching a move from MK Dons on a three-year deal.
"He has great character. His work ethic is outstanding and he is just a really level-headed young player,” he said. “I've known him since he was 11 years of age.
“He was a wide right player but we put him to right back. He got a game for Watford in the Championship at 18 or 19 and international recognition from Northern Ireland followed.
"I was amazed that he was not still playing at English Championship level - or even higher. I saw him impact at Kilmarnock last season. He made his debut against us at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup and acquitted himself very well.
"We needed cover and he can play both sides. He's quick, he's attack minded and he has great delivery. He is tenacious and with a low centre of gravity. He's a really hungry defender. We are absolutely delighted to get him in. He will be a really good signing for us.”
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