ALL of the new signings are finally available after the SFA-imposed signing embargo expired.

And Ally McCoist's team is scoring freely and starting to run away with SPFL League One after just five games.

Yet, matters off the field at the Ibrox club continue to dominate the headlines and remain a cause for deep concern to fans.

The last few days have seen the battle for control of the Rangers board descend into a public slanging match. Craig Mather, the chief executive, hit out at the requisitioners in a lengthy statement he issued on Friday night.

Mather said the shareholders agitating for change had: "No plan. No investment. No vision. Just an obsession to wear a tie and sit in the directors' box."

Paul Murray, the former director who is hoping to make a return, hit back and branded that "disappointing" and "unbecoming" of a senior club official the next day.

Murray remarked: "We were asked by shareholders representing almost a third of the shares to come forward.

"They had concerns about corporate governance and financial transparency at the club. There is more corporate governance and financial transparency at my golf club."

With Sandy Easdale, the bus tycoon who has purchased a significant stake in the club, joining his brother James on the football board, it is clear events upstairs at Ibrox are gathering pace.

It is no coincidence that an AGM, when shareholders will have the chance to vote on who sits on the PLC board, looms on the horizon.

Who will come out on top and who will be defeated in what promises to be a stormy gathering is also uncertain.

However, with progress now clearly being made on the pitch, Rangers would benefit greatly from their affairs elsewhere being put in order.

The ongoing bickering between rival factions will be doing little to instil confidence in the Glasgow club in both existing and prospective business partners.

For a club that - once upon a time - prided itself for the discreet and professional manner it conducted it is all highly unfortunate.

The disharmony among those who currently run Rangers and those who would like a say is in stark contrast to the unity of the team.

Despite no fewer than seven of the nine new players starting against Arbroath on Saturday, the team performed with purpose.

They needed to. The visitors were well-organised, hard-working and canny. They deserved to edge in front through Alan Cook early in the second half.

"It was evident to me how Arbroath managed to get a draw at Celtic Park and lose the replay by a goal in the Scottish Cup last season," agreed McCoist.

"They did well. I have no doubt they were shaking their heads at the end of the game and asking: 'Where did that come from?'

"The scoreline flattered us." Perhaps. But the changes the manager made on the hour mark - he replaced Nicky Clark with David Templeton and moved Andy Little up front - worked wonders.

Bilel Mohsni drew the team level on his debut and a Lee McCulloch hat-trick - that was, incredibly, his second in as many games - and a late Little strike secured another three points.

McCoist has run out of adjectives to describe his captain who bagged three goals despite playing at centre-half alongside Mohsni.

"It was staggering," he exclaimed. "To score a hat-trick from defence is a remarkable achievement. For none of them to be penalties is just brilliant. He stepped up to the mark."

Having watched his team labour for over an hour to gain the upper hand against part-timers at home, however, the Rangers boss accepted there is room for improvement.

"There is a lot of hard work still to be done with the new signings coming in," he stressed. "That is the first game we have been able to play them all.

"People outside the club think we are going to score goals and smash records and all the rest of it. But the team know that it is going to be tough."

McCoist was, though, encouraged by the personal displays of both Mohsni and Arnold Peralta who set up two of his skipper's goals.

"The big fella (Mohsni) is going to be a real crowd pleaser," he predicted. "He is one of these players who the fans can take into their hearts. He is an all-action type of guy.

"Like one or two of the lads, Arnold looks as if he needs games. It is understandable given that, since pre-season, he hasn't been able to play in competitive games.

"But he is another player, like Mohsni, who can be a fans' favourite because of the way he plays the game. He is totally committed, has no shortage of quality and a great delivery."

Special mention must go to Stevie Smith who excelled at left-back in his first competitive game since last October with Portland Timbers.

That Smith will not be guaranteed a start when Lee Wallace returns to the fray underlines that a new era has well and truly dawned on the park at Rangers.