Kemar Roofe has declared he is ready for pre-season as he continues working hard behind the scenes.
The Rangers star has had a stop, start time of late due to injuries as he bids to overcome the long absences on the sidelines and start playing week in, week out for Michael Beale's side. He's already spent time in Qatar working hard on his injury issues and he's continuing to graft away from the club ahead of the big return date. He uploaded a reel of himself on Instagram taking on some treadmill work with the caption: "More miles getting covered this week ready for preseason."
Last season, the 30-year-old managed just six appearances in all competitions but scored two goals in that run as he looks to put last season behind him and push on this term. A major summer overhaul is already underway in Govan and Roofe will be determined to show his boss he can have a major say going forward.
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Three new faces are in the door with pre-contract agreements secured for Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Jack Butland with the Ibrox men linked with a swoop for Serie A attacking pair Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers while Jose Cifuentes is another on the radar.
Speaking about Roofe earlier this month, Beale said: “He [Roofe] would certainly be a bonus. We decided for him to go and have the hip operation that has been troubling him for a long period of time now to see if that solves the issues he has been having.
“He is back out running now so he will start pre-season with the team. Him and Tom, I’ve not really been able to use either of them. I have not even seen Tom in training.
“Tom will probably be three or four weeks behind Kemar. That will be nice for Kemar because last year he started pre-season and had an issue within two days. So let’s see where we are at.
“He was our top goal scorer in the year we won the league but it is important that he shows when he comes back that he can be the player we know.
“I do feel for him. I had a long conversation with Fil Helander before the final game of the season. I was here when we signed him and he is a heck of a player.
“He has missed out on a lot of international games and big games for Rangers as well. It’s not easy with a family away from home.
“Kemar has got a young family that were originally based in England. They are here now and they are here for their dad to play football.
“Kemar is a really strong-willed guy, a really tough exterior, but you have got to make sure that he is in a good place.
“I think being out on the pitch and being pain-free is a big step for him so let’s see how pre-season goes.”
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