Inside track
Steven Thompson, the 24-year-old Scotland forward, is determined to make an impact in Europe this season
How can Rangers improve this season?
With a good run in Europe
Which young player coming through the ranks should we look out for?
Burkey (Chris Burke) is a winger who was given a chance on our tour of Germany
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What would be a successful season for your club?
We have set high standards for ourselves, so to achieve what we did last season would be a great achievement. We'd also love a run in Europe. We have let players go this summer, but we've brought a few others in who are quality
What are your own aims?
To get a run of games in the team
Who will win the Champions League?
Real Madrid
Ideal number of teams in the league?
I'd rather see a few more because you play teams too many times. A top league of 16 would be fine
Worst SPL ground to play at?
I like Dens Park but, as a former Dundee United player, I get pelters there. Mind you, I get pelters at Tannadice now too. I suppose Aberdeen, as it's the longest trip
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Who are the best set of away fans you have encountered?
The atmosphere at Tynecastle is good
Most memorable moment last term?
Winning the league on the final day
If you could opt for any musician, dead or alive, to record a new club song who would it be?
Noel Gallagher
Any tip for aspiring players?
Work hard
What can you do to improve your own game?
We play an attacking style with a lot of quick players so I am working hard on my footwork
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One word to describe your mood on the eve of the season?
Optimistic
Describe manager Alex McLeish in three words:
That's too cheesy (I'll get slaughtered in the dressingroom)
3 key questions that will decide this season
1 Are Rangers equipped for the Champions League?
By reaching the Uefa Cup final in Seville last season, Celtic raised the bar in Europe for Rangers to a height — amid continued financial downsizing — which they may yet find beyond their reach. Like Celtic, the first target for Rangers will be reaching the Champions League group stages. Qualifying eluded Dick Advocaat, and that after a heavy investment in players. Europe will excite Alex McLeish, but it may concern him, too. To date he has only ever experienced defeat there as a Rangers manager, to Feyenoord and Viktoria Zizkov. Failure on the bigger stage this season would mean even less money next time around
2 Will Rangers be as strong as last season?
The feeling persists that Rangers have lost more than they have gained in terms of players this summer: Lorenzo Amoruso at centre-half, Arthur Numan at left-back, and possibly Mikel Arteta in midfield. Much depends on whether the money can be found for replacements and, in the case of left-back, if McLeish can finally get Michael Ball rolling. If funds limit McLeish to Bosman recruits then Rangers may lose their momentum. He must ensure that the team which starts this season is as strong as that which finished the last. Captain Barry Ferguson had a pelvic operation in June and much will hinge on him being able to reproduce last season's form
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3 How much will the debt problems impact on the team?
A clean sweep of domestic trophies did much to brush off concerns about a debt level — last counted at £62m. Rangers insist financial matters are under control, but clearly wage levels and the amount available to be spent on transfers have been reduced and will continue to be so. Last year, Rangers got the balance just about right and beat Celtic to the Premierleague amid the cutbacks. This year, it will be even more of a challenge. The frustrating aspect for the Ibrox faithful is that manager Alex McLeish would surely have spent the kind of money put the reckless Dick Advocaat's way with much greater acumen
New arrival
Claudio Caniggia's extraordinary attack on McLeish when departing Rangers indicated his unhappiness at being moved on, but in his replacement Nuno Capucho, the Ibrox club can argue they are trading up. The forward, signed from Porto, is experienced enough to be expected to settle quickly into the team, and the fee of £670,000 should represent reasonable value. Not a word you always associate with Rangers signings
Strongest XI
Klos
Ricksen
Moore
Khizanishvili
Ball
Arteta
De Boer
Ferguson
Capucho
Mols
Lovenkrands
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The squad
Stefan Klos G
Maurice Ross D
Kevin Muscat D
Craig Moore D
Bob Malcolm D
Kevin Muscat D
Zurab Khizanishvili D
Michael Ball D
Fernando Ricksen D
Barry Ferguson M
Stephen Hughes M
Mikel Arteta M
Christian Nerlinger M
Neil McCann F
Peter Lovenkrands F
Ronald de Boer F
Michael Mols F
Nuno Capucho F
Chris Burke F
Shota Arveladze F
Steven Thompson F
Steven McLean F
Allan McGregor G
Manager: Alex McLeish
Celebrity fan
Andy Cameron, comedian
I'm a big fan of Shota Arveladze. If you look at the goals he's scored in his career, he compares with Larsson. I'd like a run in Europe. After Celtic last term, it's the carrot in front of the donkey for us
Where are they now?
Rod Wallace: Left for Bolton on a free transfer in 2001 and last June switched to Gillingham in the Nationwide Division One