CHRIS Hegarty today predicted Rangers will not suffer from any dramatic slumps in form this season - thanks to the intense competition for places at Ibrox.

The versatile defender was a regular first-team starter for Ally McCoist's side throughout the 2012/13 campaign.

However, the 21-year-old, who can play at either centre-half or right-back, knows holding on to a place will be far more difficult in the months ahead.

His manager has - so far - brought in eight new players during the summer and now has several different options at the back.

Full-backs Richard Foster and Stevie Smith are vastly experienced and Bilel Mohsni looks set to be an automatic selection in the heart of the rearguard.

But Northern Ireland Under-21 internationalist Hegarty has welcomed the arrival of reinforcements at the Glasgow giants.

He believes the increased strength in depth will ensure there is no repeat of the poor performances the Light Blues produced home and away last term.

Rangers, as expected, won the fourth tier title comfortably. But their supporters suffered their fair share of anguish along the way, slumping to humiliating and previously unthinkable defeats to Stirling Albion away and Peterhead and Annan Athletic at home.

But Hegarty said: "It is good for the club there is real competition for places this season because it means every player knows they have a rival.

"If anybody allows their standards to drop even just a little bit, they will be aware there is somebody waiting to take over."

Under SPFL rules, McCoist is only able to play a total of two unsigned players for Rangers in any League One game this month.

And the trialists - who must have been registered in Scotland at their last club - are only able to play in a total of three matches.

That meant Hegarty was given the nod to play in the opening league game of the season against Brechin City at the weekend.

The boyhood Rangers supporter grasped his chance firmly with both hands. He opened the scoring from close range early on with what was his first competitive goal for the club.

Hegarty also performed well at right-back and then, after Emilson Cribari came off injured with a hamstring strain, at centre-half.

The Dungannon lad, who played for his national U21 team against Denmark in a friendly in his home town yesterday, is hoping he impressed his manager.

"It was a great experience to play in the opening day of the season after the Third Division flag was unfurled," he recalled.

"The Rangers fans, as you would expect, turned out in their numbers for the occasion.

"I have worked very hard on my fitness throughout the summer. I played a lot last season, but, if I am honest, I didn't play as well as I could have.

"I think I am sharper and stronger than I was last term so I am hopeful I can feature on a regular basis."

Hegarty continued: "I am determined to build on what I achieved last season.

"I just need to work hard in training every day and show the manager what I am capable of whenever he gives me a chance.

"I played against Brechin at the weekend and scored a goal and thought I did alright. Hopefully that gave the manager something to think about."

Hegarty played in the agonising League Cup defeat to Forfar Athletic at Station Park earlier this month.

And he is focused on helping Rangers record their first away win in the league against Stranraer at Stair Park this weekend.

He said: "It was bitterly disappointing to lose to Forfar. But we have to put it behind us.

"We have another difficult away game this weekend. We struggled at times on the road last term. Hopefully we can get a positive result."