NafisaRangers supporters had waited all summer to finally see several of Derek McInnes’ new signings in competitive action.
With the Premiership curtain-raiser against Dundee United marking the beginning of a new era at Ibrox, excitement was building around the club’s revamped squad, with fans eager to see how the latest arrivals would perform under the new manager.
There was plenty to be encouraged by before kick-off.
Four summer signings were handed starting debuts, while another new arrival waited patiently for his opportunity on the bench, giving supporters a glimpse of the fresh-look Rangers side McInnes has spent months assembling.
But just as one of those debutants was beginning to settle into the game, disaster struck.
The defender suddenly went down shortly after the hour mark and was unable to continue, leaving Rangers’ medical staff with little choice but to signal for a substitution.
As the player slowly made his way off the pitch, the frustration was impossible to hide.
That unfortunate debut belonged to Ben Godfrey, who was forced off after just 63 minutes during Rangers’ Scottish Premiership opener against Dundee United.
The England defender, who joined the club on a season-long loan from Atalanta this summer, appeared to suffer an injury before being replaced by Robbie McCrorie, with Dujon Sterling moving into the heart of the defence.
Godfrey looked visibly devastated as he headed straight down the tunnel after leaving the field before later returning to take his place on the Rangers bench.
Television cameras captured the defender covering his face with both hands and clutching his shirt as he walked around the side of the pitch, clearly disappointed that his competitive debut had ended in such frustrating fashion.
His withdrawal was a worrying moment for Rangers, particularly given McInnes’ determination to strengthen the club’s defensive options during the transfer window.
Fortunately, Rangers had another new defensive recruit available, with recent signing Olwethu Makhanya named among the substitutes after completing his move from Philadelphia Union earlier this week.
Godfrey was one of four Rangers players making their competitive debuts from the starting lineup, alongside Ivor Pandur, Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin, as McInnes began the new campaign with a significantly reshaped side.
Rangers supporters will now anxiously await an update on the extent of Godfrey’s injury, hoping the setback proves to be only a minor one and that the experienced defender can return quickly as the Light Blues look to build momentum during the opening weeks of the new Scottish Premiership season.
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