IF the weight of expectation was a burden on the shoulders of Kemar Roofe, he certainly doesn’t show it. He has become accustomed to high standards and even higher demands, but he has never experienced anything quite like what he is about to go through at Rangers.

He comes across as a cool and collected customer, but it is his prowess in front of goal and his versatility to operate along the front line that has attracted Steven Gerrard. At 27, he should be at the peak of his powers and Rangers need this season to the best of his career.

The time spent at Leeds United and Anderlecht will certainly stand Roofe in good stead. Famous names with demanding supports, he had a pressure to perform during his stints in Yorkshire and Brussels.

That will be ramped up week by week, game by game this season, however. This is a campaign like no other, one where failure really cannot be comprehended by either side of Glasgow.

The acquisition of Roofe earlier this week was a statement of intent from Gerrard and another sign of the backing the Ibrox board are willing to give their manager. Within hours of Roofe’s unveiling, he was joined by Cedric Itten, the striker completing a move from St Gallen to add further firepower to an attacking arsenal that had looked somewhat powderpuff beforehand.

Roofe was never able to help Leeds return to the promised land of the Premier League during his three seasons at Elland Road. Last term, his only one with Anderlecht, he would endure an injury-hit campaign as the wait for a first title in three years continued into a fourth.

Now Roofe is ready for another challenge as Rangers once again set out bidding for that sought-after league flag in Gerrard’s third season at Ibrox.

“I've been fortunate enough to play for Leeds and Anderlecht, who are massive in Belgium,” he said.

“I've had good experiences of big clubs where I've had to understand the culture and what it means to the area and to the fans.

“As soon as you understand what it means to the supporters and earn their respect, that's huge.

“When I retire, I'll have not a bad CV having worked with guys like (Marcelo) Bielsa, (Vincent) Kompany and Gerrard.

“They're massive names in the game. Gerrard and Kompany were top, top players in their day who are now transitioning into being managers.

“Bielsa is a well-known top manager so working with these people will only benefit me at Rangers.”

Roofe may only have been in Glasgow a matter of days but he is not wet behind the ears when it comes to Rangers. It will take time for him to settle into the city, but he must hit the ground running when Gerrard chooses to give him his first few chances to impress.

There will be no crowds present to see in person what Roofe can bring to the Rangers attack but his signing has been met with widespread approval by supporters.

The success Roofe craved with Leeds and Anderlecht never materialised. This opportunity, therefore, is one that he is determined to make the most of at Ibrox.

“I know how big Rangers are because I grew up in England watching football as a kid,” Roofe said.

“It's not common if you don't know who Celtic or Rangers are – even if you don't watch Scottish football.

“Everyone knows who these clubs are so I know they're massive. I also know players I've played with who are from Scotland or have played with Rangers or Celtic. They've told me a lot about it.

“I want to see that Rangers' journey to the end, of course I do. I'm playing football because I want to win games, be successful and get better.

“Every club is always on a journey and there can only be one winner. For anyone who doesn't win, they'll be disappointed.”

With the departure of Alfredo Morelos now a matter of when not if, a vacancy will open up for a player to become the new darling of the Ibrox crowd. In Roofe’s case, that could coincide with him being the main match-winner for Rangers this term.

For all the improvements that Gerrard has made during his two seasons as boss, there is no wiggle room for the 39-year-old in the coming months.

In terms of the title, it simply has to be third time lucky and Roofe is fully appreciative of the part he must play in Rangers’ challenge for that long-awaited piece of silverware.

“I know that if you're second you're nowhere in Glasgow,” he said. “But that's the case everywhere.

“It was the same at Leeds for me and in Belgium with Anderlecht. At Anderlecht, if you don't win in style, it means nothing.

“Every club has a way of seeing thing, but the most important thing is just getting three points as often as possible.

“What he (Gerrard) said to me was simple. He wants me to work hard for myself and the team - and play my normal game.

“He wants me to help the team win. It's pretty straightforward, black and white.

“I need to do what I've been doing to get myself here and I can't wait to start.

“The attraction of coming here was a bit of everything for me, not just one thing.

“The opportunity, the players, the fanbase, the history of the club – everything.”