Michael Beale returns to Rangers and faces 6 things in his in-tray from fitness and fixtures to Cantwell and Roofe

The gates swung open, giving fresh hope for a new season as Rangers boss Michael Beale returned to work.

It's been less than five weeks since the curtain came down on the last campaign but Beale was back at Auchenhowie as he took to Instagram to post a picture of him driving into his workplace with the simple message 'good to be back'.

The Englishman said in an interview earlier this month that you'll be able to look him up and down and know whether or not he's happy with Rangers' summer window. As he took his photo from inside his car, we couldn't make that judgment. And it's still early days. But time is marching with four players recruited so far and given he said he would have to carry out one of the club's biggest ever rebuilds then it's fair to say there is still a fair few new recruits needed to halt Treble-winning rivals Celtic. Here, Record Sport looks at some of the things he might look to address on his return.

It’s just 33 days since the final whistle blew in Paisley to bring a miserable campaign for Rangers to an end. The majority of the Light Blues squad will return to the training ground on Friday – the first day of preparations for the 2023/24 season. Pre-season is of course such a crucial part for the players to build solid fitness foundations for the rigours of the campaign ahead with Beale hoping to have plenty of extra games in Europe, whether that be the Champions League or Europa League.

And last week saw the return of Dr Mark Waller as director of medical and performance. The 65-year-old is someone Beale knows well from his first spell at the club alongside Steven Gerrard before the medic left for Leicester City last season. Waller’s input will surely be key. Some fans questioned the pre-season