Rangers rounded off their pre-season schedule with a 4-4 draw against Union Berlin. Philippe Clement's side will now gear up for their first Premiership fixture of the new campaign ahead of their trip to face Hearts next Saturday.

A frantic first half ended with six goals shared as Tom Lawrence netted twice after Cyriel Dessers had pulled Rangers level. Janik Haberer scored two and Jordan Pefok netted from the spot. Dessers got his second with 20 minutes remaining as Rangers came from behind once again after David Preu had given Union the lead.

READ MORE: Check all the Rangers transfer news & rumours before the transfer window

Dodgy defensive displays spell disaster

The imminent departure of Connor Goldson will free up wages and a centre-back slot. The stopper that fills that berth must be an improvement on a player that has been a fine servant over several seasons. He must also be an improvement on what Goldson is leaving behind.

This back four will not be the foundations for a title challenge, never mind a title win. The standard of player is clearly a concern, but so is the ease at which Clement’s side are being scythed through at present. After the goalless draw with Standard Liege, ten goals have now been shipped in just four matches.

A Benedict Hollerback cross from the left found Haberer on the right as Union broke the deadlock after just five minutes. Rangers were badly exposed and paid the price on that occasion and were fortunate not to concede again before Pefok slotted home from the spot. The penalty award was soft, but Rangers were again porous and James Tavernier looked extremely sluggish as he was beaten for pace and then left on the ground by Yorbe Vertessen.

Jefte was susceptible throughout at left-back. He was exposed as Haberer finished well to make it 3-3 late in the first half. The partnership with Oscar Cortes was a source of concern.

Ivan Prtajin should have scored with a free header before the hour mark. Within seconds, Preu had given Union the lead once again as a deflected strike beat Jack Butland.

Signs of encouragement from middle to front

Rangers should have opened the scoring inside the first minute when Cortes picked out Scott Wright at the back post. Rather than finding the net with his header, he attempted to nod it back across target.

It was the man that assisted Wright in midweek that found the route to goal. A lovely pass from Mohamed Diomande split the Berlin defence. Dessers showed composure to round keeper Carl Klaus and he finished well from a tight angle in the right channel.

That touch of class from Diomande was one of many. He looks destined to enhance his reputation in his first full season at Ibrox and he is certainly one of the first names on the team sheet heading into the new campaign. He is a class act.

As it stands, Lawrence will surely get the nod to operate ahead of Diomande and Connor Barron. His first goal here was a clinical strike from inside the area after a Dessers effort was blocked. His second saw him collect a Tavernier pass and find the top corner as Klaus was well beaten.

It was one of many slick moves that Rangers compiled. Clement’s side looked dangerous when they ventured forward and this was certainly the most encouraging outing of the summer in that regard. Dessers was a positive overall and he deserved his brace as he evaded two Berlin defenders and slotted the ball through the legs of keeper Yannic Stein from close range.

Notable absentees from the squad

The confirmation that Vaclav Cerny had completed his move to Ibrox on Friday gave the support a much-needed boost. Those who wanted to see him in action at the first opportunity were left disappointed, though, and there was no place for the winger in the travelling party. Cerny is still awaiting international clearance as Rangers process the final pieces of paperwork but it is expected that he will be able to make his debut against Hearts next weekend.

Midfielder Kieran Dowell missed out due to a sickness bug. The other main absentee was Dujon Sterling, with Clement revealing pre-match that the right-back has a muscle injury. Nicolas Raskin continues to work through his rehabilitation schedule after being injured against Ajax and Hamza Igamane is not yet up to speed as he awaits his first action for Clement’s side.

Sam Lammers completed his move to FC Twente on Friday evening and Goldson will finalise his switch to Aris Limassol in the coming days. For now, captain Tavernier remains at Ibrox and many of those that featured here could yet move on. More new faces will arrive, too.

A mixed mood amongst the support

It would be quite the understatement to say that Rangers remain a work in progress this summer. Clement had to go back to the drawing board to overhaul this squad but there is still much to be done – both in terms of transfers in as well as transfers out – before the Belgian can be satisfied and supporters can be enthused.

The low-key outings with Standard and Ajax were useful for getting minutes in the legs but little was learned from either. The defeats to Manchester United and Birmingham City raised more questions than they answered. And this Jekyll and Hyde showing wasn’t exactly a bold confirmation that Clement’s side are ready to hit the ground running in the Premiership.

When the off-field issues – most notably the ongoing Ibrox renovation saga and the loss of James Bisgrove as chief executive officer – are taken into account, it is understandable why fans are not exactly brimming with confidence right now.

Thousands travelled to Birmingham and several hundred made the trip to Berlin. Their backing cannot be doubted but cannot be taken for granted. Rangers simply must move through the gears if they are to pleasantly surprise a largely underwhelmed support.

Talking must now be done on the pitch

In an ideal world, Clement would have used this fixture as a dry run for the curtain-raiser against Hearts. The Ibrox boss is not operating in that situation, however, and this was another reminder about where Rangers are and where they must get to. The clock is ticking.

The first month of the campaign can shape so much of what will follow. Coming through with a win at Tynecastle would be a statement from Rangers and the first Old Firm will quickly come into view. The Champions League outings naturally speak for themselves in terms of their importance.

Clement would have liked to have seen more players leave and more players arrive. He would have wished for a clean bill of health and for more positives from the performances and results. Ultimately, he can only play the hand that he has been dealt. His to-do list has been lengthy this summer. Points and progression are now top of the agenda.