Rangers being in pre-season is completely different to when I was younger.

Results were largely discarded and nobody poured over performances quite the way they do nowadays. Social media has a lot to do with that of course, with every moment scrutinised, and rushed judgements or assumptions quick to be formed.

As a fan base we are passionate about everything, so even in these glorified ‘training games’ it should come as no surprise that we are analysing everything, looking for the smallest detail or clue into how we might perform during the season ahead.

Snap judgements and statements have already been made.

But the truth is these games are designed for one thing only, match fitness.

Sure, it is an opportunity for some to give the manager a nudge and remind him they are still there, but largely it’s teams that won’t ever start meaningful games and players filling in positions to experiment for the team.

This is especially true for Rangers so far considering we are missing six first-team players. You take Borna Barisic, Filip Helander, Ryan Jack, Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos out of our team and we are always going to take time to get up to speed.

Add that to new signings Fashion Sakala and Nmandi Ofoborh being unavailable then a huge chunk of our first-team squad is missing.

So as we head into two games this weekend at Ibrox against Brighton and Real Madrid, we still have more than enough time to be ready for the season opener and vital European games.

I also have no doubt the management will line up a bounce game or two given midweek is free, before the opener, and some players will require match fitness.

It was excellent to be back at Ibrox on Saturday to see a 2-2 draw with a superb Arsenal side.

The talent of Smith-Rowe, Aubameyang, Pepe and Lacazette created plenty of opportunities.

But it was the sort of test you like to see and will stand Rangers in good stead going forward.

You want the players worked and tested, that’s exactly what Arsenal did.

In truth, they could have scored a few chances and Rangers are clearly still getting up to speed. So to get a credible draw is welcomed even if unimportant.

This weekend Brighton will provide stiff opposition and most likely an opportunity for some of the ‘fringe’ squad to try and stake a claim for game time.

I still think that at least half a dozen players will find themselves away from the club either on loan or permanently and that is only players I consider on the outside of the squad.

We also have the prospect of ‘big’ money in the offing for some first-team regulars so there is plenty of twists still to come for this squad.

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But that simply highlights the point I am trying to make and any judgement made at this point is flawed because this isn’t the Rangers we will see by the time the action starts for real.

On Sunday Real Madrid visit and that’s the glamour tie everyone will want to be involved in.

I think that’s the game we may see our strongest available eleven and I’m sure every player will want involved. Friendly or not, they will want to play against Real Madrid.

Again it will not matter how the game goes but with players getting more match time and more fitness I expect we will begin to look more like the side which will be ready for the season to start.

So when Malmo or Helsinki come around this team will be ready and raring to go. It will be a tough task but neither team will have wanted Rangers either so we go into it respectful, but not fearing our opposition.

A lot of Rangers fans from my era are battle-scarred from European disasters. The shuddering memories of Auxerre, Strasbourg, Levski Sofia and so on are still real, but under Steven Gerrard this Rangers team have excelled in Europe.

Ties like Midtjylland, Willem II, Galatasaray, Warsaw and Ufa have been passed expertly. Rangers have that experience and a squad which will be ready to go and do it all again.

Sure Malmo or Helsinki will provide tough tests, especially a dozen or so games into their season, but this is a Rangers team that enjoys the freedom of Europe. The club, of course, craves Champions League nights both financially and commercially but the prestige is really what it's all about.

Simply put, this is where Rangers belong.

Those passionate crowds, Ibrox under the lights and everything that it brings. The roars, the noise and the Champions League music.

Rangers will be respectful of our draw, but the truth is we shouldn’t be fearing anyone. This is a Rangers team that will be ready to take us on another European adventure with a manager that knows exactly how to achieve it.

After all, it’s Steven Gerrard and he wasn’t half bad when it came to doing it on the big stage in Europe.

As the fitness comes and the players return, Rangers and the fans will be ready for another adventure.

Respect it, don’t fear it, we are Rangers after all.