Rangers first pre season friendly saw them visit Scottish Highland League Side Nairn County. Holloway used to game to give everyone a game although three players were missing. Edghill had a slight knock so missed out whilst Bircham has been sent home with an ankle injury which will see him miss most of pre season. Lee Cook is unable to play until a compensation fee has been agreed between QPR and Watford so he is unlikely to play in a game until the Crystal Palace fixture at the end of July.

Rangers started with Chris Day in goal and a mix of experience and youth in defence. Youngster Jake Perry got a start at right back and has been given a squad number showing that he may play a part in the first team this season. Matthew Rose, Gino Padula and trialist Lewis Hamilton made up the rest of the back four.

Ainsworth, Bean, Daly and Mcleod made up the midfield with Cureton getting a rare start up front alongside Paul Furlong.

Rangers started well and in a slow paced game they had plenty of chances. Rangers created 14 in total during the first half but Cureton and Ainsworth were guilty of missing a few chances as the teams went in 0-0 at half time.

Holloway made six changes at half time to try and give everyone a game. Arthur Gnohere finally turned up after missing 10 days of pre season and came on for Matthew Rose. Marcus Bignot replaced youngster Perry whilst Rowlands, Gallen, Johnson and Thorpe took over and Bean, Ainsworth, Furlong and Cureton went off.

The changes had an immediate effect as Rowlands cut in on the right wing into the box and from a narrow angle he placed his shot under the keeper into the bottom corner to give Rangers the lead.

We had several chances to extend that lead with Rowlands hitting the bar with a excellent curling shot. Gallen went close with a great volley from the edge of the area which hit the bar and Thorpe missed a sitter as the rebound found him six yards out but he made a mess of the header.

Gallen soon made it 2-0 after good work by Ainsworth. By now McLeod and Daly had made way for the returning Ainsworth and Bean and it was Mr Rock and Roll on the right wing who put in a neat ball to Gallen who side-stepped his marker and placed a shot into the bottom corner.

Tony Thorpe completed the scoring flicking the ball home after a ball into the box from Rowlands.

So a good start to pre season and some big tests now await Rangers. Inverness will be a tough side to beat on Saturday before Rangers face the mighty Ajax.

Getting match fitness is the main aim of these games though and Saturday should see Culkin, Forbes and Edghill get a run out whilst trialist Lewis Hamilton will get another chance to impress.