The great Rangers transfer deep dive but is Gio van Bronckhorst’s side stronger or weaker than last season?

It won’t have taken Gio van Bronckhorst long to work out that patience is a virtue in short supply in Glasgow.

The lack of early movement in the transfer market had the angsty Ibrox support flapping harder than some of those Love Island lads discovering their girls were being eyed up by the latest muscle-bound newcomer into the villa. Reassurance eventually came, however, when Rangers boss van Bronckhorst dragged Ross Wilson for a chat and together, they’ve embarked on a swift round of speed dating that has resulted in the Light Blues coupling up with seven new recruits.

Parting ways with last year’s key men Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo had the potential for a painful break-up. But with around £30million now banked this summer, Rangers have been able to inject some fresh new blood into a squad where relations looked in danger of going stale domestically last term as their Europa League exertions pushed them to the limit. Excitement is now building around Ibrox ahead of Saturday’s Premiership curtain-raiser at Livingston.

And here Record Sport takes a closer look at the state of play in the Rangers squad as they aim to dump Celtic from Scottish football’s top spot.

Goalkeepers

Allan McGregor has opted to sign on for another season but the big question still to be settled is whether he will remain Ibrox No.1. The 40-year-old has proven himself a man for the big occasion so many times down the years but mistakes against Hearts, Motherwell and Ross County last year saw Rangers spill vital points as Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops snatched the title.

Jon McLaughlin has waited patiently these past two years for his chance and the expectation is he’ll be given more action this time round. The former Hearts and Sunderland keeper