MARK Warburton quickly endeared himself to Rangers supporters after being appointed last summer when his team, playing a brand of attacking football that was rather easy on the eye, won their opening 11 competitive fixtures.

It was the most successful start any manager had made in the history of the Ibrox club, surpassing the previous record of eight wins recorded under his legendary predecessor Bill Struth some 95 years earlier.

Having endured some difficult times, suffered some humiliating results and experienced some bitter disappointments during their time in the lower leagues, the fans, not to mention the board which had brought him in, were delighted.

But was everybody happy? Not in the slightest.

Dominic Ball, the young Spurs centre half who had moved to Scotland on a season-long loan deal in the hope of playing regular first team football, was upset at being overlooked and confronted Warburton about his lack of involvement.

"Dom was so frustrated at not playing at the start,” he said. “He chapped the door. 'Why am I not playing?' he asked. 'Because we've played 11 and won 11, Dom,' I told him.”

The Englishman is anticipating many more exchanges like that in the forthcoming campaign. He has strengthened his squad considerably with the signings of the likes of Joey Barton, Joe Dodoo, Clint Hill, Lee Hodson, Matt Gilks, Niko Kranjcar and Jordan Rossiter in recent weeks. They are quality players who have operated at a high level down south.

Yet, the mainstays of the side which won the Ladbrokes Championship so effortlessly and so impressively last term will also be expecting to feature on a regular basis. At some stage, then, somebody is going to be smarting at having to sit on the sidelines on a Saturday.

Warburton purposely kept his squad lean last season so that no ill-feeling grew among those players who were omitted from the starting line-up every week. It was a policy he had successfully employed in his previous job at Brentford and it worked well.

He may only have one more body at his disposal than he did last season due to the departure of eight players in the close season. But the calibre of individual is far higher. Fraser Aird, Liam Kelly and Jordan Thompson may have been quite content to warm the bench. Andy Halliday, Jason Holt and James Tavernier won’t be.

The 53-year-old, who is still hoping to bring in anotheer defender, admitted he will have to handle his charges carefully in the months ahead as they attempt to challenge Celtic for the Premiership title due to that new-found competition for places.

"I hope we can get that right,” he said. “I don't mind players banging the door. Communication is great. But I don't want a player asking why they aren't playing if we have won every game. We need to get that right.

"When Dom’s chance came, he was ready. You saw what he did. He played magnificently well against Celtic in defensive midfield. He's a great example to other players. Whenever the chance comes, you have to be ready.

"Someone like Dom learned a lot from that. There are players who will expect to play. But look at our options all over the pitch. It's great to have that competition, but I hope it's healthy.”

Warburton added: "Guys like Niko Kranjcar and Joey Barton take nothing for granted. Andy Halliday wants that shirt, but so does Matt Crooks. If the competition is strong and healthy, we will be in a good place.

"You can't say one thing and act in another way. If you say it's about the team, then it should be. If you are not in the XI in a particular day, then get on with it. Support the boys and if you play one minute, be the best you can be.

"If you are not on the coach, what are you doing wrong? Train harder, work harder and your chance will come.”

Holt played on no fewer than 45 occasions last season after joining from Hearts and impressed with his consistency. But the central midfielder faces a struggle to hold down a regular place with the arrival of Barton, Kranjcar and Rossiter.

The mild-mannered 23-year-old is not the type to take umbrage at not featuring. Indeed, he admitted he is relishing training alongside and playing with highly regarded professionals like Barton and Kranjcar. He believes he will improve as a player as a result. He did, though, admit the coming months will be challenging for him and many others.

“The level of the player that has been brought in has been really high,” he said. “I think that will result in the standards rising. The standard in training was really good even last season. This season we have taken it up a notch. All the boys have been flying and buzzing and eager to get the season started.

“It is a great for me to have the calibre of play like Kranjcar and Barton here. I can only learn things from them. There is also a challenge. And there is competition for places in there for everyone who plays in that department. If you get in the team it is up to you to keep the jersey. But I think competition is really healthy for the squad.”

Barton, the former Marseille, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers midfielder, arrived in Glasgow with quite a reputation. But Holt, who has now been training with him for a fortnight, has enjoyed working with him and Kranjcar and anticipates Rangers will benefit greatly from their presence.

“Since day one, Joey’s been great,” he said. “He adds a lot of qualities to the side, both on and off the park, and I’ve noticed that already. I’ll be looking to learn and pick up pointers from him because his experience it so great. You can only learn from that. He has so much knowledge of the game and we are looking to pick up little things. It’s invaluable.

“Niko’s a top guy as well. The same as Joey, he’s been great on the training field. He works so hard. In games his quality is there for all so see. You can learn a lot from the type of players he is.

“He’s laid-back, but in a good sense. He’s relaxed but when the action starts in training or on the field he shows 100 per cent commitment. I think his move here shows the type of character he is. He’s hungry for more success and that’s great for us. You want those characters in the squad—people wanting success constantly.”