The Rangers impression from within on 4 new signings as Jefte leaves telling impact on team-mate

While John Bennett is devoting most of his focus to finding a new stadium, Philippe Clement is busy whipping his team into shape, writes Andy Newport in Venlo.

New recruits Jefte, Connor Barron, Clinton Nsiala and Liam Kelly were among the players who flew out, with latest signing Hamza Igamane set to join up later this week. And Ross McCausland has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far.

He said: “They have hit the ground running and all of them are gelling well. The fact we are away now, it is a good chance for everyone to get to know each other. The new boys have come in and just gelled together. They are getting to know each other and that is one of the main things so that when the season starts, we already have a month together. Even on the training pitch, it is knowing how your team-mates are playing. If you see our goal the other day [in a 5-2 bounce game win over Hamilton], Jefte ran down the line and gave it into the back post and I was there. Things like that, you see in training and it goes into the games.”

McCausland became a regular last season after making his first-team breakthrough under interim boss Steven Davis. But he is relishing the fight ahead to keep his jersey as Clement and recruitment chief Nils Koppen plan further additions. He added: Football is a competitive game. I am quite grateful I have had my spell to show what I can do. If somebody comes in, that almost makes the challenge better, makes you work a wee bit harder. That is the challenge I would want to face.”

Meanwhile, individually, McCausland has much to be proud of. But collectively, Rangers can only look back and admit they blew the chance to clinch a remarkable treble triumph.

McCausland said: “Of course we were gutted, it