Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has confirmed there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes to improve the first-team squad.

The Ibrox side have already secured Ianis Hagi on a permanent deal from Genk and added left-back Calvin Bassey from Leicester City.

With the team back in training and an August return pencilled in for the start of the 2020/21 league campaign, moves are being made to put together a squad capable of challenging Celtic and trying to stop the Parkhead side from reaching 10 in a row.

Steven Gerrard is continuing to build his squad for next season. Picture: Getty

"We are still chasing targets behind the scenes,” Gerrard told Rangers TV. "We have numerous targets we want to bring in to help strengthen us next season.

"It's exciting times to be at Rangers."

Rangers will also return to European action a few days after they are due to play their first league game with Uefa having announced their plans for its competitions.

They will travel to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen in the second-leg of the round of 16 Europa League tie, trailing 3-1 from the first leg played back in March. If they overturn the deficit and reach the quarter-finals they will return to Germany for a final eight knockout competition on 10/11 August.

When Rangers do return to action, Gerrard has tipped Bassey to shine with him expected to challenge Borna Barisic for the left-back role.

“Calvin is going to surprise a few people,” he said. “Not many people know the name but we have tracked him for some time.

"We've watched him a lot and he's a fantastic talent. He's big, strong, quick and aggressive. He's excellent in one v one situations.

"Calvin can play in two or three different positions and always has a smile on his face.

"He is your modern-day, powerful full-back. I'm looking forward to seeing how people take to him. I think when they've watched him quite a bit, they'll be as excited as I am."

Gerrard also praised the condition of both Filip Helander and Hagi on their return.

Steven Gerrard provides transfer update confirming targets with 'exciting times to be at Rangers' message