We all have to start from scratch to
prove we deserve a place in the
starting line-up and the extra
competition for places can only be
good for the club moving forward.
After two trophyless seasons it is
vital that we are up there challenging
for the title once more and I feel we
now have the strength in depth that
allows us to do that.
On a personal level, I'm feeling great
and raring to go. The heat in Germany
was something else but it did at least
allow us to sweat off a few extra pounds!
We have tonight's game and then
Chelsea on Saturday and you couldn't
ask for two better matches before the
competitive action starts for real.
There is a real hunger in the squad
under Walter Smith and hopefully that
will be reflected in our performances
over the forthcoming season.
Barry Ferguson
THE first home game of any season
is always special and tonight's
match with Ajax will be no different.
I realise it is only a friendly but this
game takes on extra significance for so
many reasons.
For starters, it gives all our new
signings the chance to fake a bow in
front of the home fans for the first time
since joining the club.
For some, like Darche and
DaMarcus, it will be the first time they
have ever played at the stadium; for
others it will be their first time at Ibrox
as Rangers players.
Hopefully you, the fans, will give
them all a fantastic welcome. The
gaffer has been busy over the summer
and the players he has brought in so
far seem to have settled in well.
The new signings are a good mixture
of guys with SPL experience and
others with European experience and
I'm confident their presence will make
us stronger as we look to do well on all
fronts this season.
We are progressing nicely after our three
matches in Germany and then Saturday's
testimonial match against Falkirk.
Tonight's match let's the fans see
how far we've come over the summer
and also gives us another real test to
help hone our match fitness and give
us that extra competitive edge.
The Champions League qualifier
against either Zeta or Kaunas is only a
week away now and playing against a
top side like Ajax tonight can only
benefit us as we prepare for that
crunch Euro tie.
It goes without saying that reaching
the group stages of the Champions
League remains one of our main
objectives for the early part of the
season and so we must do all we can
to be ready for those matches.
As well as the new players, tonight's
game also represents a big match for
the guys returning from last season.
It's a clean slate for everyone and
we know that no-one is guaranteed a
place in the team on reputation alone.
