Stephen Dobbie reckons Rangers are in good shape for a fight on two fronts after seeing Steven Gerrard ’s side rack up back-to-back wins in less than 24 hours.
The Ibrox club are heading into the Premiership pressure zone as they look to end Celtic’s stranglehold on the title - while also striving for an extended run in the Europa League.
Dobbie’s Queen of the South faced the Light Blues in a closed doors friendly at Auchenhowie on Saturday, hours after Gerrard’s team had seen off Stranraer in the Scottish Cup.
Allan McGregor, Conor Goldson, Borna Barisic, Glen Kamara, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent all started the bounce match after missing out against Stranraer.
Morelos - one game into a three match suspension - netted a double with Kent and Ojo chipping in in a 4-1 win.
And Dobbie, who netted Queens’ consolation in the second half, was blown away by the Gers’ frontline.
The striker, Scotland’s top scorer last season, said: “It was a good run out for us. The majority of their side have been away from it for three weeks but you wouldn’t have known.
“Morelos and Kent looked really sharp and the time off doesn’t look to affected them at all.
“Morelos is on an amazing run of form so it was good to see him up close and the work he does for the team. He got his goals and looks ready for whenever he can go back into their side.
“I think Rangers have enough strength to make a real challenge this season.
“They have been fantastic on all fronts up to this point and there’s a big couple of weeks coming up for them at home and also in the Europa League.
“We will wait and see but on the evidence of Saturday they are in good shape.”
Gerrard will be delighted to have got through the weekend without any added injury concerns with skipper James Tavernier out until February after suffering an issue with his appendix.
Morelos, who will sit out matches against St Mirren and Hearts after copping a three-game ban for his Old Firm red card, played a full 90 minutes and slammed home a free kick against Queens before adding a composed finish after nicking the ball off a Doonhamers defender.
Kent was given a 45 minute run out and tapped in after a flowing move down the flank while Ojo, who lasted an hour, finished a nice move on edge of the box, curling into the corner.
Dobbie responded for Queens, rattling a second half strike into the bottom corner past sub keeper Andy Firth after Gary Oliver teed him up.
Rangers started with McGregor in goal, Jon Flanagan at right back and Barisic at left back with Goldson and teenager Lewis Mayo in the centre of defence.
Glen Kamara, Matt Polster and Jamie Barjonas were the midfield three with Kent and Ojo wither side of Morelos up front.
Gerrard slammed his side’s display against Stranraer on Friday, admitting it had bored him. But Dobbie reckons there was nothing monotonous about Saturday’s side.
“It was a good workout for both sides. We did well in spells and facing the Rangers front three was a great workout for our backline.
“They were strong at the back with Lewis Mayo and Conor Goldson. Goldson is very good with the ball and the way he uses it with Glen Kamara dropping in and taking possession.”
Queens ran the rule over Oan Djorkaeff at Auchenhowie as Allan Johnston looks to add to his threadbare squad following the blow of losing Faissal El Bakhtaoui to Morroccan side Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi.
The midfielder - son of French legend Youri - has been training with the Dumfries side after falling out of favour at St Mirren.
