IT felt like the longest few years of their lives as they lived through the headlines and the heartache.

Now, it all seems like a lifetime ago for Rangers fans as they prepare for a new season, a fresh start and a second chance.

Time has not healed all of the problems at Ibrox but the progress made in a short period has given supporters hope for the future once again.

While work continues off the park to rebuild the club after years of turmoil, it is on the field where the signs of encouragement and reasons to be cheerful have been most prominent.

After a campaign dominated by boycotts, boardroom battles, embarrassing performances and unacceptable results, the big picture makes far more pleasant viewing for the Light Blue legions ahead of the new season.

The Gers fan base has been rejuvenated by the opening weeks of the Mark Warburton era and Rangers First director Ricki Neill hopes the early momentum will help ensure history doesn’t repeat itself at Ibrox.

“The biggest investors this summer have been the fans by going out and buying more than 30,000 season tickets,” he told SportTimes.

“There is a real excitement amongst the fans ahead of the new season, which is great.

“I can’t remember the last time I was excited about a friendly match but that was the feeling ahead of the Burnley game.

“We are talking mostly about football again and not the politics. It is good to see.

“The last few years and the dark days we have had, the fans don’t want to go through that again.

“Rangers fans are loyal to the team and the club and hopefully more people join groups like Rangers First and the Rangers Supporters Trust, it would safeguard the club in the future.

“It has been difficult for the fans for a long time now, but everyone is feeling optimistic and really looking forward to the season and being at Ibrox again.”

Having turned up in their numbers for the friendly with Burnley and League Cup triumph over Peterhead, Rangers fans will pack Ibrox for the start of the new Championship campaign against St Mirren on Friday night.

The Gers followers have bought into the Warburton way as the 52-year-old has overhauled the squad and transformed the style of play in recent weeks.

Rangers First will be Warburton’s official sponsor this season and Neill has been impressed with the impact the Englishman has made at Ibrox.

He said: “His work ethic has totally changed the way Rangers think.

“I have spoken to a couple of people at Rangers and they said one of the first things Mark asked was what time Auchenhowie opens up and someone said the security guard opens the gates at eight. He said ‘well, tell him he will need to start at six’.

“You can see the work he is putting in with the team and on things like set-pieces, it is stuff straight from the training ground.

“He was the first guy we went for to sponsor. He has made such an impression and his work ethic is very impressive. The fans have taken to him straight away.

“When you watch the game, he never sits down and he is constantly encouraging the team and looking to make things happen.

“Normally you can only sponsor a player but we asked if we could sponsor the manager. All the Rangers First members, and all the fans, have given him their full backing.”

Having won over the fans, Warburton’s biggest challenge now is to continue winning games as he strives for success in his first season at Ibrox.

The 6-2 triumph at Easter Road and 3-0 victory against the Blue Toon on Sunday have given fans a glimpse of what may lie ahead this term.

And Neill is pleased to have a promising outlook on the horizon as supporters gear up for another Championship campaign.

He said: “After the Hibs game, to come out and say it wasn’t good enough was unusual but the manager knows what he wants and that we can do a lot better.

“The fans could see it could have been better and I think they have been very pleased with how he has gone about things and his messages.

“It all seems to be coming together now but it is a big test for us against St Mirren.

“Hopefully we can get off to a good start in the Championship and keep up the momentum because the fans have certainly been impressed so far.”

The newly installed manager and recently acquired players will be on show as Rangers set out with their eyes fixed on the Championship crown for a second time on Friday night.

But there are unlikely to be many new Rangers strips in the stands as supporters continue to keep their cash in their pockets rather than hand it over to the club.

The ongoing conflict with Mike Ashley is one of the most pressing issues the Light Blues board has to resolve and Neill hopes a solution can be found for the benefit of the Gers sooner rather than later.

He said: “I am proud to wear my Rangers top but I am not able to at the moment. I can’t buy the strip for my son, either.

“The Ashley situation has to be sorted out and the contracts renegotiated. In amongst the positivity about the football, this is a big issue for Rangers.

“You should be turning up with your Rangers top on, but we need the right deal in place first.

“My son Robbie is only ten and I have tried to explain the situation and he understands it.

“It is not ideal for fans but it is the situation we find ourselves in just now unfortunately.”