Rangers striker Kenny Miller was fired a stern warning to the club’s new recruits that his team-mates won’t give up their places in the side easily.
The 37-year-old veteran was rewarded with a new one-year contract after an impressive season last term, but could face fierce competition or a starting role next season.
Miller has sat back and witnessed manager Pedro Caixinha make wholesale changes to the first-team squad this summer, with as many as five new players already through the door at Ibrox.
Rangers have completed the signings of Bruno Alves, Ryan Jack, Fabio Cardoso, Dalcio and Daniel Candeias, but many more could be on the way as Caixinha refuses to shut up shop.
However, the rapid influx of new recruits could see several of the current Rangers stars, including Miller, fall down the pecking-order for a starting role, and Miller has urged his team-mates not to roll over.
He told the Daily Record: “They have to prove they’re better. If somebody wants to come in and take my place then they’re going to have to be better than me.
“And I’m not going to allow that to happen easily. If you come in and prove you’re better, you’ve got the jersey. If you don’t, you won’t.
“You’re at a big club, every season there’s going to be new players brought in. If it’s in your position, you’ll have to be better than him.”
Rangers and Caixinha are now keen to press on with finalising deals for Mexican international duo Eduardo Herrera and Carlos Pena, who are awaiting work permits alongside HJK Helsinki goalscorer Alfredo Morelos.
The Express claimed a week ago that Morelos, who will be set to rival Miller for a centre-forward role at Ibrox next season, had flown to Glasgow to complete a medical ahead of his proposed £1million move.
But despite the 20-year-old scoring 20 goals from 25 appearances last season, Miller has warned the youngster that he must still prove his ability, and insists he won’t give up his own spot easily.