FORMER Rangers midfielder Alex Rae has few worries about the Ibrox side on the park in the coming season - but plenty of concerns off it.

Rae thinks Ally McCoist's squad is strong enough to see off the challenge of Hearts and Hibernian in the Championship.

But he fears financial concerns will continue to dog the club.

Rae said: "Many fans are worried the Rangers board is going to sell Murray Park. And if only 17,000 season tickets have been sold they will struggle to make it to the end of the season.

"If they can give the assurances the fans want to see about Murray Park and Ibrox then I'm sure there would be an uplift on season tickets.

"There's a trust issue between a large section of fans and the current board. There are a lot of bridges to be built and the club needs to iron these things out if they want to achieve things in the long term."

Rangers kick off their season this week with games at Ibrox against both Edinburgh clubs.

Hibs visit tonight in the Petrofac Training Cup before Hearts kick off the league campaign on Sunday.

Radio Clyde pundit Rae added: "At the end of last season I predicted Rangers would win the league with their squad.

"Since then Ally has added Marius Zaliukas, Darren McGregor, Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd.

"Hearts and Hibs are still adding players to their line-ups so some may think my prediction was a bit premature. But I think the calibre of player at Rangers will be too high for the other Championship teams."