Join thousands of fans who have signed up to our Rangers newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

RICHARD FOSTER reckons Rangers will face a tough test on their North America tour after being bowled over by the USA’s display at the World Cup.

The Ibrox full-back was impressed by the American national side’s athleticism as the Yanks reached the last 16 at Brazil 2014.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s men beat Ghana, drew with Portugal and narrowly lost to Germany in Group G before going down 2-1 in extra time in an epic clash with Belgium in the knockout stage.

And Foster believes his side will have their work cut out when they take on Ventura County Fusion and Sacramento Republic in California before going on to Canada to face Victoria Highlanders and Ottawa Fury.

The 28-year-old said: “Playing in America and Canada is going to be a wee bit different but we will definitely get good tests there.

“You saw from the USA’s efforts at the World Cup that the one thing you will get from their teams is the workrate they will put in.

“Their season runs differently from ours and they are in mid-season.

“They will give us challenging games in terms of fitness as much as anything and that is exactly what we need at this stage.” Meanwhile, Rangers midfielder Kyle Hutton expects a step up in class as Ally McCoist’s men embark on the next stage of their pre-season preparations.

He said: “Things will get a lot harder for us fitness wise over the next couple of weeks.

“We’re well into pre-season now and the games are starting to come thick and fast so we need to be switched on.

“Without being disrespectful to the teams we played when we went up to Brora earlier in the month the American sides will give us a tougher challenge and we need that.

“As we get closer to the start of the season we need the intensity to pick up and the boys are really looking forward to the tour matches in that respect.”

Rangers defeated Fulham 4-2 at Murray Park last Thursday in a closed-doors match after a lacklustre 1-1 draw with Brora last weekend.

And Hutton said: “Drawing at Brora was a disappointment but the boys were excellent against Fulham.

“Playing on a better surface made a big difference. Hopefully we play on better pitches in America and Canada in order to allow us to keep progressing.”