Giovanni van Bronckhorst delighted by key Rangers improvement from last season in win over West Ham

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst believes the area for improvement required from his team in the forthcoming season was delivered in their 3-1 friendly victory over West Ham.

The introduction of new signings Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo at the interval prompted a 13-minute, three goal burst that brought each of them a goal and assist and essentially settled the contest. And for the Dutchman, the threat of the pair pointed the way his team must deviate from habits last season that contributed to their failed title defence.

“Last year we had some games where we didn’t extend our lead enough, and get comfortable enough, and we were punished at the end of the game with losing points,” van Bronckhorst said. “It is something we need to do better this season and with Rabbi and Tom both very comfortable in front of goal, as you saw today, the quality is there to give to the squad.”

The Ibrox manager expressed satisfaction with the competition for places he now has throughout his squad - bolstered by the £4m addition of Ben Davies from Liverpool. “First of all, I am happy he joined us. He is a left-footed defender and that is very important for the team,” he said of the centre-back. “He is very comfortable with the ball, he is a good passer, a good reader of the game and a good defender. His time at Liverpool didn’t work out how he would have wanted. But that happens. When we spoke he was very, very excited to start and be part of Rangers and he will also add his qualities.

“We will see if he can get some minutes at the weekend. We play Tottenham on Saturday and Queens Park on Sunday so it is really important to give the players some minutes now. I am really happy with the squad. We have a big squad which makes it