Any hopes football fans had of Rangers struggling to adapt to life in the lower leagues appears to have already diminished, after the Glasgow club emphatically overturned East Fife 4-0 in the Scottish League Cup.
In front of a full 40,000 capacity crowd, Rangers put on a show for their supporters and have set a benchmark for what should realistically be an easy season in Division Three.
The club were cast to the bottom of the Scottish league system last month after a summer of financial revelations that still threatens to ruin the newco. The majority of their senior staff departed, opting to find new clubs rather than slum it out in the pit of Scottish football.
They are unlikely to feature in Betfair Champions League betting markets for a few years yet, but with the new season comes new hope for Rangers, and the wheels of business have already started turning. With their transfer ban set to come into force this September, manager Ally McCoist has been quickly scouting out a new squad ready to face Rangers’ three-year challenge to get back into the SPL.
Ibrox was treated to a festivity of goals on Tuesday evening, with first-half strikes from Lee McCulloch and Dean Shiels set the tone of the game. After Lee Wallace added a third McCulloch rounded off the victory to send Rangers into the second round.
Their rout showcases just how dominant Rangers should be this season. A host of new signings, including Shiels, have come into the squad lured by the glamour of playing in the famous blue shirt. Despite being scheduled to play Peterhead and Clyde rather than Europe’s elite in the Champions League, Lennon has still managed to attract a decent group of men.
Expect Rangers to hit the new season with as much running as they have their League Cup campaign. Promotion is the priority for Lennon and his boys, and it seems very little will get in his way.
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