Ex-Rangers forward Colin Stein feels the club's supporters will demand nothing less than the Gers challenging Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title in the forthcoming season.
Mark Warburton led Rangers to the Scottish Championship title last season and as such Old Firm games are back on the agenda on a regular basis in the 2016/17 campaign.
Stein feels Rangers and Hibernian proved they could compete with sides in the Premiership last season through their performances in cup competitions.
As such he does not feel there is a large gap between the Championship and the Premiership, something which means Gers fans have every right to expect Rangers to be able to more than hold their own.
He told Rangers TV: "I think you saw Hibs and Rangers play SPL teams and I don't think there was much between them so I think after pre-season training, and Warburton is quite a shrewd man so he will know what's going on, [they will be ready].
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"I think they will certainly be in the top half and I think the supporters will be demanding that they challenge Celtic", Stein added.
Rangers are currently building up to the new season by taking part in a ten-day training camp in South Carolina in the United States.
Warburton's men have a friendly against local outfit Charleston Battery on the agenda during the course of their trip.
