THE picture is almost complete for Steven Gerrard but the final pieces of the jigsaw will determine how Rangers will look this season.

As a dozen players from previous regimes have been shipped out this summer, ten have arrived so far to take their places in the starting line-up and Ibrox squad.

Before the transfer window closes next month, there will be another couple of names added to the respective lists of arrivals and departures.

Read more: Steven Gerrard pleased with the foundations of his new Rangers defensive unit​

Clearing the decks has been as time consuming as adding strength and depth and Rangers can be pleased with their efforts in that regard.

There are now few remaining remnants of the failed Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha eras as Michael O’Halloran and Harry Forrester have joined Bruno Alves, Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera in heading for the exit door.

Now those that have replaced them must prove that they are capable of wearing the shirt and delivering the success that the Light Blue legions, and their manager, crave this term.

It is still too early to start setting targets for Gerrard’s side, however. It is only once his summer shopping spree is complete that we will be able to judge how far Rangers have come, and how far they are away from where they want and need to be.

Supporters will always make snap judgements on players and the friendly win over Bury and two legs against FK Shkupi have given the Ibrox crowd their first look at Gerrard’s side.

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The strategy has been fairly clear in the market and it was no surprise to see Gerrard address a key weakness as a matter of priority.

Allan McGregor is a definite upgrade on Wes Foderingham in goal, Jon Flanagan is a more solid defensive option than Declan John and Connor Goldson could prove to be the commanding centre-half that has been needed for some time.

Those three – along with Scott Arfield and Jamie Murphy – are the tried and trusted recruits and fans have a fair idea of what they will get out of them this term.

The rest – Nikola Katic, Ovie Ejaria, Lassana Coulibaly and Umar Sadiq – are unknown quantities, however, and only time will tell if they are up to the task at Ibrox.

Ryan Kent took it into double figures when he completed a loan move from Liverpool on Sunday and that leaves Gerrard only searching for options at both ends of the park.

Another centre-half, most probably one to partner Goldson rather than provide back-up to Katic, is a must and Rangers will strengthen in that area again.

Read more: Kyle Bradley believes Rangers kids can make the grade under Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard​

The same can be said in the final third. The requirement for a striker is not a knee-jerk reaction to a profligate performance against Shkupi at Ibrox or a rather uninspiring showing in Skopje.

The arrival of Sadiq may spur an out-of-sorts Alfredo Morelos into action and Gerrard will hope the Colombian can find his scoring touch again if he stays at Ibrox this summer.

Even if he does and he can re-establish himself as one of the top strikers in Scotland, Rangers still need another option up front and a reliable source of guile and goals.

Gerrard was straight to the point during his post-match interview in midweek and his misfiring forwards would certainly have got the message. Either they start producing the goods, or Gerrard will find someone else who will.

Fans are right to be enthused by Gerrard’s arrival and excited about what the coming weeks and months could bring with the Liverpool legend at the helm.

Past experiences should tell them not to set the bar too high just because new players have arrived, however, and there will be a healthy dose of realism amongst the Gers ranks this term.

It is only once all of the deals are done and Gerrard’s overhaul is complete that targets can be set and ambitions laid out for Rangers.