Former Rangers striker Mark Hateley says pushing 23-goal striker Lee McCulloch back into defence could help youngster Ross Perry mature as a centre-half.
Ibrox boss Ally McCoist has boosted his attacking options with the signing of Dundee United skipper Jon Daly and Nicky Clark from Queen of the South.
But the Irn-Bru Third Division champions struggled last season as Perry and Brazilian partner Emilson Cribari failed to deal with the physical challenge presented by many of their part-time opponents.
And Hateley claims communication problems were behind most of 23-year-old Perry's woes.
The nine-in-a-row title winner said: "Ross played with Emilson Cribari for most of last season. For a young player to be playing with a foreign player who doesn't speak much English is hard.
"It's nice to come in and play with a Davie Weir or a Richard Gough that can talk you through the game. You know, tell him things like 'you stay here or go there' or 'push on and mark while I sweep'. Those sort of things.
"Ross has not had that and by his own admission he'd say last season wasn't his greatest. It's all about having that experience around young players."
Rangers' defensive lapses saw them suffer embarrassing defeats to bottom-tier rivals Stirling, Annan and Peterhead last season.
Their frailties meant McCulloch - who struck his highest-ever single-season tally as he skippered the club to the basement division title - was often forced to drop back from attack to provide some added steel at the heart of the Light Blues' back four.
But Hateley says now that McCoist has brought in extra firepower, he can consider giving Perry a helping hand by playing McCulloch deeper full-time.
Irishman Daly has also played in defence during his Tannadice spell and is another option for the Ibrox boss to think about.
Hateley said: "It's great to have someone to talk the young guys through the games because all the games won't be easy. When they get tough, that's when you need your experience.
"Having Lee or even Jon Daly at the back is an invaluable asset."
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