PEDRO CAIXINHA has issued a warning to his Rangers players about not treating the season’s final three games seriously as he spoke of the club being just weeks away from beginning a new era.

The Portuguese admitted last week the job of rebuilding a squad now almost guaranteed to finish third in the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership, meaning European football for the first time in six years, will prove to be a far more difficult task than he first thought.

Rangers face Hearts at home on Saturday, then Aberdeen visit Ibrox before the campaign ends at St Johnstone.

And with more than a few squad members yet to impress the new manager since his arrival, more under-par performances are hardlt going to do much for their chances of being part of Caixinha’s long-term plans.

The Rangers manager said: “It’s always important playing for Rangers, even if you are not playing for a particular trophy. It is important to perform in the best possible way.

“We have already assessed the squad and we know what we are working with regarding the near future, which is just around the corner. In three weeks’ time we are returning again to start a new season, to start a new cycle and to start a new era. It is really important for us to keep the competitive side for these last three matches.’’

Clint Hill and Philippe Senderos have not been offered new deals, while Emerson Hyndman will return to parent club Bournemouth. Caixinha is already working on replacements and wants any new signings to be completed sooner rather than later.

Rangers have less than two weeks of a close season because of the Europa League qualifiers and so the manager cannot afford to wait too long for any potential summer signings to decide whether Scottish football would be for them,

Speaking to Rangers TV, he said: “We are dealing and negotiating with players. We already have some of the players that are out of competition and are already on vacation.

“One important thing is all of those players are really keen to come and play for Rangers. It is not a question of them seeing what happens if maybe they have other options.

“All of them want to come and I know them as well. I appreciate all the efforts and work these players are doing to come here to us. So it is a question of getting the deals done and then making the announcements.”