Barry Ferguson has departed from the accepted script to question whether Pedro Caixinha’s new recruits have the guts to beat Celtic.
With five new players already captured and work permits in the post for three more excitement at Ibrox has been close to Joey Barton levels.
Only Ryan Jack has played in the SPFL but while Portuguese internationalist Bruno Alves should be fine Fabio Cardosa, Dalcio and Daniel Candias have the capacity to bomb spectacularly.
Ferguson was inside Ibrox as Paul le Guen brought in half a dozen world-beaters to tip the football betting odds and remembers the pain of seeing those myths become reality.
After being snubbed for the job of being number three to the fifth best coach in Qatar the former Clyde boss has his eyes open about the Latin journeymen hoping to pick up signing on fees from Ibrox.
Explaining his fears in the Daily Record Ferguson admitted: “I would love to look all of the new Rangers players in the eye and ask them one simple question: Will they be able to handle relentless pressure on a daily basis?
“If the answer is no then they would be as well heading for the nearest exit door. Welcome to Rangers lads – your lives on and off the pitch will never be the same.
“I am hoping Caixinha’s new breed proves to be a huge success for Rangers.
“My only concern is the foreign lads such as Fabio Cardoso, Dalcio and Daniel Candeias might believe Scottish football is not as hard and the standard not that great.
“Let me reassure them they are about to work as hard as they have ever done in their playing careers.
“Performing at Premiership grounds such as Celtic Park, Pittodrie, Tynecastle, Easter Road, Fir Park, Rugby Park or wherever is something they will not be used to. New players coming into Ibrox will be constantly challenged.
“At a club such as Rangers, from the moment they walk in the door they will be expected to win every game and to perform well. If they don’t they will get criticised – ferociously.
Ferguson added: “With the exception of Bruno Alves – who has played at the very top levels of the game– the rest will not have experienced the kind of pressure or scrutiny they are about to come under.
“A lot of Rangers fans are worried about the kind of players Caixinha is bringing into the club. So am I to an extent.
“However, the Rangers supporters need to trust the manager’s judgement on this one. Caixinha has to be given the chance as well as time to put his own stamp on the club, even if the betting predictions at OddsDigger don’t favour him.
I have done my research on the new lads and they all look the part on paper. It is what they do when they cross that white line that’ll matter most.
“I want to see if they can handle life at Ibrox. This is going to be a massive season for Rangers. Last term was a huge disappointment and this campaign has to be different. Rangers somehow need to find a way to challenge Celtic.”
Two weeks after jetting in to the state-of-the-art training facilities at Murray Park and being bowled over by the magnificent history of the former Petrofac Cup holders Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera have still to complete their transfers.
Sevco are involved in Europa League qualifiers in 13 days time.