MARK WALTERS insists being best of the rest has to be the minimum expectation for Rangers in their second season back in the Premiership.

The Light Blues will round off a disappointing campaign against Aberdeen and St Johnstone in the coming days before boss Pedro Caixinha embarks on a summer rebuilding job to overhaul his squad.

It has been a rollercoaster season for the Gers as they have turned in a series of poor performances and were hit by the departure of manager Mark Warburton in February.

But former Ibrox winger Walters knows there will be no excuses next time out as Caixinha looks to lead by example and guide his side up the top flight standings.

He said: “I watch them all the time. They haven’t done as well as I would have liked.

“I was hoping for second this year but they will have to settle for third.

“They will be back in Europe next season so hopefully they can start again

“They definitely need a few additions to the squad.

“Finishing third is disappointing but with a few new faces they should get second easily enough and then they can start challenging for top spot.

“It will be hard given the money Celtic have. Someone told me they got £7 million for one game against Barcelona.

“It will be hard but with the right strategy everything is possible.

“Last season they played good football, had a nice system and kept the ball. It was surprising it didn’t turn out better for them.

“Maybe they were a bit too predictable. A lot of teams set out to nullify them.

“At a club like this second isn’t good enough so something had to give. Unfortunately it was the manager.

“I always believe football goes in cycles. It is the same for my old team Aston Villa – they are in a lull right now.

“Rangers are starting to pick up again and they are back in the big league.

“Next season second has to be the minimum and then progress from there.”