Barry Ferguson has revealed what is worrying him about Rangers heading into the new Scottish Premiership season.
The Ibrox hero has been watching on as Michael Beale's side played pre-season clashes against the likes of Newcastle, Olympiacos, Hamburg and Hoffenheim.
Despite the strenth of the opposition, Ferguson has been alarmed by the goals that his former club are concerning and he admits it is a worry with the new campaign kicking off this weekend.
He told The Go Radio Football Show: "Yeah listen, in terms of some of the goals they've lost in pre-season, they have been worrying.
"I seen Michael Beale's interview and he wasn't happy with the two goals they lost in the first half and they were poor, no doubt about that. They need to clean up that quickly because they need to be defensively strong.
"I do think that's an area where he'll look to maybe strengthen. I know he's done a hell of a lot in the forward areas, the amount of players he's brought in there but I'm with Derek (caller), I do think they may need another utility type guy in defence who can play in either full-back areas.
"Because (Borna) Barisic is one who is going into the last year of his contract and we can't allow people to go into the final year of a contract and lose them for nothing.
"In terms of Yilmaz, he's not the most physical, there's no doubt about it. He's really good going forward but the goals that we've lost at the back post areas when cross balls have come in are a bit concerning."
Meanwhile, Beale watched Rangers battle back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 against TSG Hoffenheim in Germany then revealed he was “glad pre-season is out the way”.
He told Rangers’ official Twitter account: “I was frustrated at half-time because even though we had a disastrous 24 hours with illness in the camp, I thought the two goals we let in in the first half were really poor.
“And actually we created some big chances ourselves and our last pass was out.
“I thought in the second half, we were very good. There was chances at both ends but the least we deserved was a draw.
“We were decent enough in possession, poor defensively and we improved in both areas in the second half.
“But the most important thing, again, was to face some challenges, try to problem-solve and overcome them and it was a good challenge today.
“It’s amazing. You come here with two defenders in Leon and Johnly and you end the game with no central defenders and these are scenarios that might happen in the season. So it wasn’t ideal in terms of preparation, everything like that.
“Overall, it was a really good friendly. The pitch was dry, the heat in the stadium, everyone could feel as well which made it a slow game at times but yes, food for thought and I’m glad pre-season is now out of the way.
“I can’t say I overly enjoy pre-season because I just want it out of the way, I want the games to be out of the way.
“We are integrating a lot of new players and we are also integrating Tom Lawrence and Kemar Roofe back from long injuries.
“We’ve had illness and injury and everything in between preparing for this game. It was our fourth game in 12 days and it’s been heavy on the legs, but it’s out of the way now and we get this nice normal week to Kilmarnock.
“We have the fantastic opportunity on Tuesday to train in front of our fans in an open day and then it will be onto business into the weekend.
“We’re looking forward to going to Kilmarnock and starting the season.”
