Dave King predicts better days ahead for Rangers under Steven Gerrard

The rookie Ibrox boss has successfully negotiated his first test after guiding Gers past opening Europa League opponents FK Shkupi.

But there was not much to get excited about following the 2-0 aggregate win as the Light Blues laboured to see off their Macedonian opponents.

First-leg goals from Jamie Murphy and James Tavernier at Ibrox gave Gerrard’s side a crucial advantage but the former Liverpool and England captain has warned his shot-shy strike force to sharpen up after watching them draw a blank in the Skopje return.

However, chairman King insists he is encouraged after watching Gerrard’s new-look defence open the campaign with back-to-back clean sheets as they saw off a repeat of last year’s humiliating first-round exit to Luxembourg no-hopers Progres Niederkorn.

And he believes Rangers will only get slicker going forward as the weeks go by.

In a pre-season address posted on the club’s website, the South Africa-based businessman told supporters: “It was pleasing to see the new squad settling down with the successful navigation last night (especially after last year) of a potentially tricky Europa League fixture with two clean sheets to the players’ credit.

“On this point, I am conscious that we were top scorers in the SPFL last season but conceded far too many goals to be able to finish higher than third.

“This leakage will be much reduced in the coming season thanks to the efforts of (director of football) Mark Allen and Steven in the transfer market.

“This team will continue to improve which makes me more relaxed for this coming season than I have been for any since regime change.”

Champions League-winner Gerrard was appointed back in May as a replacement for Pedro Caixinha.