ALLAN McGREGOR today played down pre-season results and maintained it's what Rangers do on July 31 in the Champions League that counts.

The big keeper spoke out after last night's German tour ended with a low- key 1-0 defeat to Bundesliga side Hannover 96.

Walter Smith's men appeared to be feeling it after energy-sapping training sessions in the burning heat here, and lost out to a fortunate goal from Sergio Pinto.

But McGregor knows the game that matters is the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against either Zeta or Kaunas in under two weeks.

No 2 Ally McCoist watched Zeta shock 10-man Kaunas 3-1 in Montenegro last night to take command ahead of next week's second leg in Lithuania.

And McGregor told me before we headed back to Glasgow: "We're three games into pre-season and we have had a lot of changes in the matches over here.

"The bottom line is we need to be ready to play well and win the first game of our season - and that's in 13 days in the Champions League.

"The SPL kicks in just a few days after that, and those are our targets. That's what we are building towards in terms of match fitness and the and the gaffer trying things out. So while Rangers want to win every game, we were very disappointed to lose.

"Everyone would agree what happens on July 31 is massive, so that's what we need to be prepared for."

One of the few plus points in the AWD Arena was the debut of French striker Jean-Claude Darcheville.

McGregor revealed the former Bordeaux man plays the same way in training, and he believes he'll have a very big part to play in the season ahead.

"Darche came on and looked strong, he's a powerful lad and he put himself about," McGregor added.

"We'll come home now and look to take what we have banked over here into the Falkirk, Ajax and Chelsea games."

McGregor has seen competition arrive in the shape of Graeme Smith from Kilmar-nock, and experienced former Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll, who will make his debut at some stage at Falkirk this weekend.

But he warned the duo he is in no mood to move aside and give them the gloves.

"I don't think I needed the two guys coming in to keep me on my toes - I am always focused on what I have to do here," he added.

"I just want to be as consistent as last season and keep improving.

"Rangers always need competition for places, and the goalkeeping department is no different."

Meantime, boss Smith reported no fresh injuries worries and confirmed he'll start to formulate what he believes is his strongest side over the three games back on home soil. Julien Faubert, who snubbed Rangers for West Ham, is in plaster awaiting scans on an Achilles injury.