The winger has twice come off the bench to make a major champions league impact and could be get first competitive startDjeidi Gassama of Rangers celebrates scoring to make it 1-1

Russell Martin passed his first major test as Rangers boss.

But now the longer-term assessment comes, although he still has exams he must pass on a weekly basis.

Gers kick off their Premiership campaign away to Motherwell this evening. His two predecessors both dropped points in the last two season openers and ultimately failed their assignments.

Martin has reassured fans that there’s plenty of time to recover if they are to leave Fir Park without maximum points, but it’s the actual recovery that’s been the problem rather than running out of time.

Now he has to figure out which of his star pupils will best serve him by starting.

The clamour to unleash Djeidi Gassama from the beginning is only growing louder after more midweek exploits. He came off the bench to take the wind out of Panathinaikos’ sails in Athens, having delivered the hammer blow at Ibrox the week before.

Martin accepts that the former Sheffield Wednesday man is more ready to start now, but still urged patience.

“Listen, it’s a tough call to leave anyone out of the team, especially when someone had such an impact on the bench, but we went for consistency, players that played together more,” said Martin in midweek.

Russell Martin during a Rangers training session

“Gas is still catching up for sure, and he had such a big moment and impact last week, it took the stuffing out of him, it made him tired, which it would I think, naturally, because it was so much adrenaline, he had such a brilliant start.

“Then got some more minutes Saturday where he wasn’t as impactful as he wanted to be, and then tonight he scored a brilliant goal, brilliant finish.

“So he knows what we think of him, he also knows he has to be patient, and he’s more ready to start now than he has been before tonight, so I’m pleased with him.”

Elsewhere on the pitch, Martin confirmed that Max Aarons isn’t the long term solution at left back but has challenged Jefte to take the shirt off him.

Danilo was defended despite a lack of goals in Greece as Cyriel Dessers appears to be firmly the second choice: “Danilo people won’t talk about because he hasn’t scored, but he was fantastic, especially out of possession,” said Martin.

FIFA red tape might mean Mikey Moore misses out while Hamza Igamane and Thelo Aasgaard aren’t fit enough to be involved.

Here’s how Record Sport reckons Rangers might start the season.

Predicted Rangers XIPredicted Rangers XIProvisional Rangers squad

Goalkeepers

Jack Butland

Liam Kelly

Kieran Wright

Defenders

James Tavernier

Jefte

Emmanuel Fernandez

Alexander Hutton

Leon King

Robbie Fraser

Midfielders

Connor Barron

Bailey Rice

Lyall Cameron

Joe Rothwell

Nico Raskin

Mohamed Diomande

Kieran Dowell

Mikey Moore

Oscar Cortes

Nedim Bajrami

Findlay Curtis

Forwards

Danilo

Cyriel Dessrers

Djeidi Gassama

Josh Gentles