Rangers have started their Premiership title challenge with a goalless draw against Hearts at Tynecastle. In a competitive affair, neither side had the quality to break the deadlock.

The loss of winger Oscar Cortes through injury was a major negative for Philippe Clement, who handed a start to midfielder Connor Barron and debut to Vaclav Cerny. There was no place for Robin Propper.

Rangers now turn their attentions to the Champions League and their fixture with Dynamo Kiev. On this showing, it is one that supporters will rightly be wary of as the search for further reinforcements continues this summer.

No feelgood factor for the fans

The first point has been collected in the Premiership. This was a match that Rangers could have won and could have lost. In the end, a share of the spoils probably pleased and frustrated Clement and Steven Naismith in equal measure.

A victory here would not have been a statement of intent from Rangers. It would, though, have raised the mood of a support that are in desperate need of a pick-me-up after a summer of problems on and off the pitch.

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In truth, very little was learned about what Rangers can hope to achieve this term by events here. Clement’s side cannot be completely written off, especially with the promise of further reinforcements to come. On the flip side, few would have come away from this one with a renewed sense of belief that the campaign will unfold in a positive way. This was not an encouraging opening 90 minutes.

The Hampden fixtures with Ross County and Motherwell are must-win. That is a non-negotiable for Clement and the new four-year contract he signed this week will be debated even further if his side were to stumble again before the Old Firm showdown. That one will speak for itself.

Concerns over tactics and quality remain

This was an afternoon that raised more questions than it answered in terms of Clement’s style of play and what he is looking to achieve. Concessions were made towards the Belgian last season as he played the hand that he inherited at Ibrox. That credit in the bank will not last forever, though, and there must be evidence of a cohesive approach.

Results are always the most important thing for any Rangers manager. There is an expectation that performances go in tandem, however. This is a side that is still a work in progress and Clement needs much more from whatever team he selects in the coming weeks.

A low drive from Barron and a Cyriel Dessers strike after a cross from the left was all that Rangers created in a disjointed first half. It was a period where Clement’s side were slack and wasteful and there seemed nothing cohesive about them in an attacking sense as a plethora of direct balls resulted in few promising moments.

(Image: PA)

It came as no surprise that Rangers picked up where they left off after the break. There were no patterns and no purpose. Most notably, there was no quality from too many. When Dessers had his chance, he couldn’t take it as a header came back off the woodwork.

Clark made a terrific save to tip a strike from Tom Lawrence over his bar. The effort was a rare flash of quality in an otherwise scrappy affair.

Defence needs a Propper upgrade

The first warning for Rangers arrived inside two minutes as Lawrence Shankland fired a powerful volley straight at Jack Butland. After eight minutes, Butland was forced into action once again after Kenneth Vargas combined with James Penrice and the left-back was denied at the near post. Hearts had plenty of joy down that channel, with James Tavernier and John Souttar repeatedly exposed and targeted.

After a foray from Gerald Taylor down the other flank, Shankland’s shot was deflected wide. Yan Dhanda hit the bar after Hearts worked the corner. Had it not been for a couple of Ridvan Yilmaz interceptions, Butland would have been even busier inside the opening quarter.

Ben Davies was arguably the worst culprit of all. His lack of aggression in the air and in the tackle was symptomatic of a passive Rangers defensive unit as a timid setup was played through too easily and too often.

His afternoon ended early as Leon Balogun replaced him. The arrival of Robin Propper will, Clement hopes, go some way to addressing the defensive fallibilities within this side. From the evidence so far this term, another centre-back may yet be required.

Butland saved at his near post from Shankland before the keeper and Balogun just about emerged unscathed from a mess they got themselves into. Tavernier almost found his own net from close range.

More old faces than new recruits in Clement selection

Clement admitted pre-match that the squad ‘now is probably not better than it was at the end of the season’ but insisted that he is working to make it better. To say that there is room for improvement right now is an understatement and Clement needs more new faces as a matter of urgency. In a summer that was meant to be the end of a cycle, this wasn’t what supporters expected on the opening weekend.

In time, Clement will see the benefit of those he has recruited to date. Propper joined the squad and went through the warm-up at Tynecastle but wasn’t selected to make his debut following his arrival from FC Twente on Thursday. Vaclav Cerny was only fit for a spot on the bench.

Barron made his competitive debut after an encouraging pre-season as Cortes marked his return with a start. He also marked it with an early exit. After pulling up late in the first half, he was replaced by Rabbi Matondo early in the second as Rangers suffered on the injury front once again.

Liam Kelly and Jefte were amongst the substitutes and Clement has outlined the process that Hamza Igamane is working through as he seeks to build up his levels. There was also no place for Clinton Nsiala and this was a selection that summed up just how much work still needs to be done on this group.

Levels must rise before European action

The games are now coming thick and fast for Rangers. The first Premiership fixture of the campaign will be followed by the first European one and the trip to face Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday evening represents a difficult challenge for a side and a squad in this state.

Clement spoke during the pre-season trip to Holland about Rangers punching above their weight on the continent as he recalled some of his achievements with Club Brugge. Rangers are a long way from being Champions League ready, though, and will face a Kiev side that scored nine goals in their second round victory against Partizan Belgrade.

Clement will make changes on Tuesday night. Dujon Sterling is likely to be in contention to return at right-back and Propper and Cerny will surely start. Outside of that, there were few names who missed out here who will be the recipient of a clamour from supporters.

Defeat in either of the Champions League preliminary rounds will see Rangers drop into the Europa League. Progression to the play-off stages comes with a £5million bounty, though, and such a bonus is not insignificant. Europe offers potential and pitfalls for Rangers.