Thursday 4 August 2016 15:30, UK
Rangers manager Mark Warburton believes his side are "in good shape" ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season.
Last year's Championship winners face Hamilton at Ibrox on Saturday - live on Sky Sports - after cruising through the group stages of the Betfred Cup with victories over Motherwell, Annan Athletic, East Stirlingshire and Stranraer.
Their winning start to the domestic scene in Scotland followed a 2-1 victory over American third tier side Charleston Battery in their first friendly of the close season.
However, Premier League Burnley proved much stiffer opposition last Saturday and despite the 3-1 defeat at Ibrox Warburton is confident his side can compete at the top level next season.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ from the club's training ground at Auchenhowie, the former City trader said: "We are in good shape. The four clean sheets are very pleasing for us and the players got pitch time.
"Burnley was a reality check for us in terms of the quality of our opposition but we are in good shape fitness wise and we are looking forward to Saturday.
"You need tests like Burnley. They are a Premier League team with outstanding individuals. That's the type of test we will face on a more regular basis. We learned a lot about the team and have trained well since."
The former Brentford boss refused to be drawn on his starting line-up against the Accies but fully expects to field a number of the new arrivals at Ibrox over the summer.
Having seen as many as 10 members of his Championship-winning squad leave since the end of last season, Warburton has drafted in a number of players he believes will help mount a serious title challenge.
"I am delighted with the recruitment and delighted with the acquisitions," added Warburton, who brought in Joey Barton, Clint Hill, Niko Kranjcar, Josh Windass, Joe Dodoo, Matt Gilks, Lee Hodson, Matt Crooks and Jordan Rossiter.
"The players have trained really well, fitted in really well and there's no doubt they will have a big role to play in this coming season.
"The gap is much closer from the top of the Scottish Championship to the Premiership as opposed to down south purely down to the financial disparity, but we are in good shape and the squad is strong.
"There is no easy games, that's for sure, but what we have to do is prepare well for every game week in week out. If we do that then we will be alright. There is no doubt about the quality of the challenge."
Rangers have worked their way into the top flight over the past four seasons, spending two in the Championship, and despite the obvious step up in class Warburton is optimistic about his side's chances.
"Our aim is to be more than highly competitive," he said. "What we have to do is make sure week in, week out, we deliver very high quality competitive challenges with the squad that we have.
"If we do that then we will be in a good position come the end of the season. But it is not for us to make rash predictions. We know we are a strong squad that will get better and more united as the season goes through, we will finish strongly I'm confident of that"
