Rangers’ David Weir admits a need to prove he can still play at the top level at the age of 40 is motivating him ahead of the new campaign.

The Gers begin the season with the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday and the veteran defender is relishing the challenge after penning a new one-year deal this summer.

He said: “Being honest, every week it’s a motivation just to prove to myself that I can still do it and to prove to everyone else that I can still do it. Hopefully that gives me an edge and the motivation to keep going.”

Asked if he still feels anticipation ahead of each match, he added: “Of course, you still get that every week. If you don’t get that feeling, I think that would be the time to call it a day. I think everyone should have that and I’ve definitely got it.”

This season will be boss Walter Smith’s last before retirement but Weir insists Rangers’ approach will be no different.

He told Real Radio: “It’s always got an edge when you’re here because you can’t take your foot off the pedal or take your eye off the ball at any stage.

“You can’t prioritise or say ‘this season is more important or that game is more important’ – that’s just the nature of being at a club like this. It goes with the territory. I don’t think you can start saying it’s any more important than any other season.”

Smith himself is keen for the action to begin for real and get their defence of the title underway.

He said: “We’re looking forward to getting into the competitive aspect of the season after training for six weeks. It’s always nice to start with the unfurling of the league flag.

“That only lasts a few minutes, right enough, and we’re back into the competitive action of the SPL season. Mixu Paatelainen’s teams are always competitive in terms of how they play the game and I don’t see this will be any different. Like ourselves, they have one or two problems replacing players they have lost in the close season.

“But that will have settled down just now and like every other team at the start of the season, they are keen to come to Ibrox or Parkhead and give their team an immediate boost by getting a good result.

“We’ve found ourselves winning the championship for the last few seasons. We want to make sure everyone knows we’re trying to keep that run going.”

Rangers will be without top striker Kris Boyd following his summer departure but Killie’s Manuel Pascali believes the threat from the champions will still be as strong as ever.

He said: “He scored a few goals against us in recent years but I watched the game against Newcastle and Kenny Miller was absolutely class. So, Boyd or no Boyd, they are always dangerous.

“We know it will be really hard because they are the champions and haven’t changed a lot of players. They are a solid group.”

Andy Webster can see some light at the end of the tunnel in his Rangers career after taking a central role during the pre-season preparations.

The 28-year-old has only made one competitive appearance for Rangers since his arrival, initially on loan from Wigan, in January 2007.

Suffering a knee injury in his first training session set the tone for the following years, with the only bright spot a goalscoring debut against Gretna in September 2007.

A loan spell at Bristol City failed to kick-start his Ibrox career as he struggled to establish himself in Walter Smith’s plans after recovering from a string of injuries.

But his fortunes were rejuvenated in glorious fashion last season as a loan spell at Dundee United helped him return to the Scotland fold and win a Scottish Cup winner’s medal.

The former Hearts defender has started all three pre-season matches Rangers have played so far to give him encouragement that his Ibrox career is finally lifting off.

“Having done all of the hard work in pre-season, it has been nice to be involved when the games have come around,” Webster told www.rangersfc.co.uk.

“I hope this is me finally getting there now. Everything that has gone on before is in the past and I’m looking forwards and making sure I’m ready for the start of the campaign.

“At this stage, it’s all about getting a level of fitness and with the squad we’ve got, a lot of the boys have played in the majority of the games so far.

“The more you play and the more involved you become, the more comfortable you then get with your surroundings and I’m happy to be in the side at the moment.”

Webster has lined up alongside David Weir in central defence, with Madjid Bougherra moved out to right-back when Rangers beat Blackburn in their first Sydney Festival of Football game on Sunday.

The Algeria defender sat out Wednesday’s rain-lashed goalless draw against the hosts with a minor knock but he will return as Rangers face AEK Athens in their final game tomorrow.

Kenny Miller will also feature despite continuing to suffer pain from shin splints.

Smith said: “Madjid will be okay. He took a kick on the calf but he has recovered from that and he will play against AEK.

“Kenny has the shin splints issue which is painful but it will only become a worry to us if it becomes chronic, which will mean he will have to miss games.

“However, just now if he gets a couple of days’ rest in between matches then he is okay.

“It doesn’t seem to be painful when he is playing – it’s after the game that he feels it.

“We will give him a bit of a rest when we go home and that should clear things up.”