Rangers squad Champions League ready reckons James Bisgrove as he makes ‘really competitive’ claim

James Bisgrove believes Rangers have a squad capable of competing in the Champions League after a summer transfer spree.

The Light Blues have so far brought in nine new faces including shelling out fees for the likes of attacking duo Danilo and Cyriel Dessers while the likes of Sam Lammers, Jack Butland, Kieran Dowell and Jose Cifuentes have also arrived through the door. Players are expected to head for the exit and transfer fees for outgoings like Glen Kamara and Fashion Sakala could provide further funds to add to the new-look team in Govan this summer.

The new Rangers chief executive knows it will be a difficult test to reach Europe’s top table once again with Servette first up over two-legs. The winner of the third qualifying round will advance to the play-off stage with the route to reach the tournament proper becoming clear today with the draw for that stage taking place later in the day. European football until Christmas at minimum is guaranteed with the Europa League parachute.

But Bisgrove is confident the board have provided boss Michael Beale with the right tools and group of players to negotiate their two rounds of qualifying and join rivals Celtic in the big stage once again – like last season – and land the lucrative windfall that comes with playing the best across Europe.

He said: “Of course it’s important that Rangers strive to be at the top table in European football. I’m sure Michael and the team will be doing everything possible to navigate the Q3 round and, if that goes well, the play-off.

“I don’t think whether we’re in the Champions League or the Europa League group stage will have a material impact in terms of what we’re doing with the squad as we’re pretty much there now in terms of building a squad that we think can compete in the Champions League.

“Of course it’s not easy. We’ve got the test now against Servette and then you look at the potential teams we could play in the play-off. They are really difficult ties.

“But we hope that we’ve assembled a squad that Michael can be really competitive with in terms of getting to that group stage.”

Rangers will be going all out to bounce back in their midweek clash with Servette after suffering an opening day defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Brad Lyons grabbed the only goal of the game in Ayrshire in the midway stage of the second half to defeat the Light Blues and give the new Ibrox stars a real shock and eye opener.