From Andrew Dickson in Sydney

STEVEN NAISMITH understands why Rangers fans are so worried by the lack of new faces at Ibrox - because he used to have the same anxieties himself.

But the striker has urged supporters to remain calm ahead of the forthcoming season because he's sure the SPL champions will recruit the players they need on time.

With Kevin Thomson and Danny Wilson moving on to Middlesbrough and Liverpool in the last fortnight, Walter Smith's squad has been reduced even further than before.

Of the 21 players who travelled to Sydney last Tuesday for the club's Australian tour, only 14 could be counted as senior heads.

Yet with many already clamouring to predict the balance of power in Glasgow is about to shift once again, Naismith believes such thought patterns are too hasty.

There are perhaps shades of two years ago at Gers just now, as back then the squad had a somewhat depleted look going into the Champions League qualifiers with Kaunas.

Of course, it was the Lithuanians who won and it was only after a crushing 2-1 defeat in the Baltic nation that boss Smith was able to bring in the players he wanted.

His new-look squad took time to gel but once it found its rhythm it stormed to a first title success in four years, with another victory following last term.

Just as the manager ultimately got his side to where he wanted it back then, Naismith feels the same can happen again.

There are still almost five weeks before the transfer window slams shut for another four months.

And although Naismith is keen for additions to arrive sooner rather than later, he has stressed this is a time for patience as deals to bring in targets are negotiated and struck.

The former Kilmarnock star said: "We're still feeling confident about the season ahead, even after losing a few players in the last few weeks.

"We know there are likely to be a few more bodies coming into the squad between now and when the window closes.

"It's just a case of waiting to see who arrives and when at this stage, but then that's always how it is in July.

"You can't just rush to sign any old player when the transfer window is open and these things always take a bit of time.

"You establish who your targets are then try to do the best deal possible for yourself. That's how it is for everyone and it's not any different for us.

"I understand why the fans are maybe panicking and to be honest, I've maybe been a bit like that myself as a supporter.

"You look at things from the outside and you want the signings to be made quickly so that you know how your squad is going to look.

"But football isn't like that any more these days. It's more about playing the waiting game and it's only in the last few weeks of the window that things pick up and kick on.

"As things stand, we've got a very good group of players - even if it is quite small - and it's something we are hopeful of adding to and enhancing.

"We know we haven't got the numbers we need in our group at the moment but the coaching staff are all working hard to change that."

READ A FULL INTERVIEW WITH STEVEN NAISMITH IN THIS WEEK'S RANGERS NEWS - CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!