RANGERS midfielder Charlie Adam is expecting fierce competition for a place in the team from Walter Smith's summer signings, but he is sure the challenge can help him improve.
The Gers have begun what is expected to be a busy period of bargaining by launching bids for Derby striker Kenny Miller and Motherwell defender Mark Reynolds.
Miller is expected to complete a move this week but Motherwell turned down an offer of u
p to £1million.
Smith is also hoping to secure Steven Davis on a permanent transfer from Fulham following the midfielder's impressive loan spell.
And the possible departure of Thomas Buffel and Brahim Hemdani could free up more cash and space in midfield for Smith to bring in players who he feels will take the UEFA Cup runners-up to the next level.
Adam faces a fight to prove himself after failing to repeat his exploits from the previous season. The 22-year-old started 24 games last season compared with 40 the previous campaign, with his goal return ten fewer.
But the Scotland cap is sure he can rise to a fresh challenge. "The players that come in are quality players," Adam said. "You have got to raise your game.
"Last season I played so many games, this season I haven't played so many but it's still been a fantastic achievement for me – I have contributed."
Smith will be desperate to end Celtic's three-year run of title triumphs after his team's late slump in form let the Clydesdale Bank Premier League trophy slip from their grasp.
After a 13-game winning streak in the SPL, Rangers lost the title on the final day after picking up just three victories in their last nine games amid a fixture pile-up.
But Adam believes they can look back on the campaign with pride after bringing it to an end with a 3-2 win over Queen of the South to complete a domestic cup double.
"We managed to pick up two trophies and get to the UEFA Cup final and take the championship to the last day," Adam said.
"That's down to the manager, Kenny (McDowall] and Coisty (Ally McCoist] and what they put in. The players have worked extremely hard.
"We had disappointments over the ten days but it was a fantastic season. The Scottish Cup is a domestic trophy and you want to win that – it was a great way to finish and go into our holidays."
The full article contains 419 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
