We’re getting there. This game showed us that Ian Holloway does seem to know how to mould and motivate his team. Playing against opposition that was obviously more talented than them, they not only matched but outplayed Vialli’s men.

Two more trialists were on show, Carl Hutchings, formerly of Brentford and known amongst their fans as Mowgli and Jason Price.

The game started as most pre-season friendlies do with neither team exactly flying out of the traps. As time went on Rangers started to take control. Some of the thanks for this must go to the comedy defensive display of Ramon Vega. Looked upon last season in Scotland as a great defender, looked upon yesterday as absolute shite. For a player to be run ragged by Koejoe and Griffiths, a man with no professional experience, was almost embarrassing to watch.

In fact, it was Koejoe that registered the first shot on target of the game with a sharp turn and strike that forced a good flying save from Espen Baardsen. That was the only real action of a first half that whilst promising never really got going.

The second half started much as the first had ended with Rangers in control. More efforts on goal from Griffiths and Connolly, who in the first period had been utter rubbish. I am not sure what was said to him at half time but it had the desired effect. There is no doubt that when Karl Connolly is on song he has the ability to be our most effective player. Peacock and Bonnot started combining with great effect in the middle of the park outplaying quite easily the Watford duo of Hyde and Vernazza.

The half time introduction of former Rangers loan-star Darren Ward, to a great reception from the home fans (gone but not forgotten), had no effect as he spent most of the half clearing up Vega’s mess.

The usual merry-go-round of substitutions knocked the flow out of the game and it petered out into a fairly tame draw. However, it was nice to see the kids come on. Second half appearances for Pacquette, Walshe, Burgess, Duncan and the real Danny Murphy were welcome.

Day put in another good performance, not seeming to be troubled by Watfords popgun attack. The reason for this was largely due to an immaculate performance from inspirational captain and centre half Steve Palmer. The reception he was afforded by the Watford fans brought a lump to the throat. If he can get the Rangers fans singing his name like that we will have found a new hero. Alongside him, Matthew Rose (having a trial game!) was also outstanding.

Bignot played well at left back and once again showed that he is a versatile as an egg. I wonder how many times that phrase ran through the mind of Super Ray as he sat on the bench marvelling at what he had created. Tosser.

Of the two trialists, Hutchings looks like he might be worth a punt but Price looked well out of his depth at this level. Up front, Koejoe and Griffiths seemed to work well as a partnership; Thomson however looked strangely subdued when he entered the fray. I would suggest this was largely because we are still not creating the chances he craves. He is a real penalty box predator and won’t score too many goals from 25 yards.

But as I said at the start, we are getting there. The next game against Chelsea will be a real test of how far Holloway has been able to bring this team in a short period of time. But as the weeks of pre-season go by, I do find myself becoming a little more encouraged. We are looking pretty solid at the back; the midfield is starting to work so once the forwards start scoring we should be set fair.

Whisper it quietly, but we might actually do something this year!