What we have not discussed yet on Ibrox Noise is, of course, Rangers’ latest friendly. Another average result in a period in which it is all about getting fitness and trying to get the players in. The friendlies this pre season mean next to nothing.
Pre season is about fitness
Rangers, of course, beat Raith Rovers, then drew with Kaizer Chiefs. Then they drew yesterday with Johor Darul Ta’zim. This was another one behind closed doors.
Rangers’ performance appeared a bit passive and lacking in energy. Plenty of errors at the back (but then Dujon isn’t a CB) while the ‘visitors’ had a lot of joy down Rangers’ left. But, of course, it is still just pre season. It is about getting the minutes in the legs and learning about each other as teammates.
We have always had problems with pre season. Whether we judge it or we do not judge it, whether it is meaningful or not, it is a time of the season where players are coming back from either international duty or holidays. They are nowhere near full fitness.
The players are building towards the season
Mentally nor physically are they ready for competitive football. Pre season is all about trying to get them there. It is simply about getting them in the mood and in the zone for fully fledged football.
At the moment, the players do not look quite there yet. There is a lot of fitness still to go. Of course, a lot happens in 2 weeks before Rangers face Dundee United. Not least the St Etienne friendly at Ibrox.
One of the big things is game face. While pre season has thus far been a bit on the flat side, when the competitive action kicks in, the players’ minds change completely. This is especially true if they are hugely invested in the management and regime of the time.
Competitive football changes everything
When the players do not believe in it, you will get a much flatter start to the season. Look at the starts that Philippe Clement made in 2024 and Michael Beale made in 2023.
Consequently, Rangers at the moment are not quite at full pace. But under McInnes and all the new work being done at Ibrox this pre season, it is abundantly clear that game face in two weeks at Dundee United will be a lot more intense.
Whether Rangers will have the full complement of players in by then is another matter. But players are not wanting to get injured in pre season. This is a huge part of the deal. Every player wants to be available to start the season. We’ll be intrigued to see who’s installed by the time the French friendly gets underway.
Avoiding injuries remains the priority
Then competitive game face goes on, and the mentality changes entirely. Allan McGregor, our brand new goalkeeping coach, once explained how much he hated pre season. He hated the entire process. He hated the slowness. He hated having to keep his foot off the gas. He just hated the whole period. It wound him up considerably.
However, as soon as the competitive action came in, game face went on and he was in the zone and at full pelt. None of the players during pre season really are at full pelt. At most, maybe 50%. The management know this.
What they want to see is lots of running. They want to see fitness work. They also want to know that the players’ attitudes are there when it counts. Pre season is designed to get them there.
So even although the result against Johor Darul Ta’zim was not the best, what matters is getting that fitness and avoiding any injuries going into the serious action. On that note, Rangers seem to be doing okay.