Charlie Adam insists that Rangers fans are right to be optimistic about the season ahead, but he believes that Russell Martin still has work to do to get his squad ready to compete for trophies this season.
The new head coach got his reign off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in Glasgow last week, but they still have to come through a tough test in Athens on Wednesday to keep their Champions League dream alive.
Seven new signings have been brought in to Ibrox this summer, and Tottenham teenager Mikey Moore is the latest name to be linked with a loan move.
Martin stressed last week that his squad would look different at the end of August and Adam, who played for Rangers between 2003 and 2009, believes the next few weeks will be crucial off the park.
Speaking at a William Hill SPFL season launch event, he said: “This squad’s not ready yet.
“There will be another three or four players added by the end of the window, and that’s where you’ll then start to judge it. Unfortunately, the games come quickly in terms of Europe.
“Like Russell said before, this squad will be totally different from now than it will be at the end of the window.
“He’ll have to navigate his way through these games at the moment to get performances, but also get results because ultimately they want to be in the Champions League, and that’s obviously where everybody wants to play.
“If they can get through this Panathinaikos game, then it will give them more money to spend on different types of players and be able to recruit better quality players.”
When asked if Rangers fans should be optimistic about the season ahead, Adam said: “Absolutely, absolutely. There’s a plan, there’s a strategy inside the football club at the moment that’s aligned, and that’s important when new investors come in.
“But there’s a lot of building work in terms of bringing Kevin Thelwell in, who I know from Everton. He’s done some good business within a tough period at Everton through the financial problems that they had.
“He’s got good experience in English football, he’s got good contacts abroad from where he’s worked as well.
“Dan Purdy’s coming in as head of recruitment, which is good. And they’ve brought a manager in who has the style and the right personality to be a Rangers manager. So I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do.”
Moore: “He’s a young player who has burst onto the scene at Spurs, can score a goal, and is a talented player, he’s coming from a big club, it’s a big loan move for his first opportunity to come and play.
“He’s a talented player, who Tottenham obviously rate, and he’s been through the England setup, so he’s a talented player who will help the group.”
Adam believes his former Stoke team-mate Jack Butland will be a key player in Athens on Wednesday.
“The conditions will be different, it’ll be hot and it’ll be humid so again Rangers will look to try and keep the ball if they can,” he said.
“Of course Panathinaikos can cause you problems. There were moments in the first leg that were nervy but they come through that period and they need their goalkeeper.
“He looks like he’s back to good form and he’s got confidence. I know him, I’ve played with him so it’s good to see him playing well again and they’re going to need him in the second leg.
“So if Rangers could start the game well and maybe nick a goal early it would really settle the game down, but again they’re all tough games away from home.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
