RANGERS have announced they have already sold more than 21,500 season tickets ahead of the new Championship campaign.

Chairman Dave King has paid tribute to the Light Blue legions as they have stepped up to play their part in the rebuilding job at Ibrox this summer.

King set an ambitious target of selling around 45,000 season books to see Mark Warburton’s side in action on home soil next term.

And the Gers are now well on course to shift a significant amount of tickets after thousands of supporters renewed their briefs from last time out.

Rangers will announce details of a public sale shortly and King is delighted to see fans backing their side in their numbers.

He said: “It has been really encouraging for the new board to witness this phenomenal response from the club’s supporters in advance of what is going to be the most significant season for the team in recent years.

“This early uptake confirms the remarkable strength of feeling Rangers fans have for their club.

“We have already had significant improvements in the club’s fortunes off the pitch and we now look forward to a similar outcome on the pitch this season.”

The appointment of boss Warburton and assistant David Weir has given supporters renewed optimism ahead of the big kick-off as Rangers bid to win the Championship title at the second time of asking.

Warburton has already recruited former Hearts captain Danny Wilson and defender Rob Kiernan in a £200,000 move from Wigan Athletic as he looks to rebuild his squad this summer.

Rangers announced yesterday that Warburton will take charge of his side for the first time at Ibrox on Tuesday, July 21 when they face English Championship outfit Burnley in a friendly at Ibrox.

The Light Blues then take on Hibernian in the Petrofac Training Cup four days later as Warburton and Weir look to get their debut campaign off to a flying start this season.