MARVIN ANDREWS knew he'd come up against some familiar faces this season after signing for Forfar Athletic.
However, the former Rangers defender didn't expect to be going head-to-head with Ally McCoist's side just a fortnight into his Station Park career.
After seeing off Albion Rovers in the first round of the Ramsdens Cup last weekend, the Light Blues turn their attentions to the Loons on Saturday as they kick-off their bid for League Cup glory this season.
It will be the first of three trips to Angus the Gers will make this season, with two SPFL League One fixtures still to come later in the campaign against Dick Campbell's side.
Andrews ended his short spell with Rovers in the summer following their relegation but will still ply his trade in Scotland's third tier after being snapped up by the Angus side.
He earned hero status amongst the Light Blue legions during his two-year Ibrox career and the 37-year-old can't wait to take on his former club once again.
"It is a great game for the team and obviously for me as well," Andrews said. "I didn't expect to play against them so soon. I am looking forward to playing them again. It will be a very exciting day.
"It will be a tough game but we will give it our best shot and see what happens on Saturday. I am looking forward to it.
"I found out about the tie when one of my mates texted me. He is a big Rangers man and he texted me to tell me that I would be playing against them in the second game of the season.
"I thought it was at Ibrox at first. It is quite a way to start the season off. Rangers obviously played Albion Rovers on Sunday and I have just left them.
"I knew there was a chance we could have got Rangers but I thought I wouldn't play them until later on in the season."
Like Rangers, the Loons got their campaign off to a winning start last weekend as they beat League One counterparts East Fife at Station Park to book a Ramsdens Cup second round berth.
While Campbell has added experience to his squad in the shape of Andrews, former Celtic star Rab Douglas and veteran defender Darren Dods this summer, McCoist has filled his Rangers ranks with quality.
None of his eight new arrivals, including last weekend's two-goal hero Nicky Law, are eligible to feature this weekend, though, with the club's registration embargo leaving McCoist with a major selection headache until September 1.
The champions were impressive, comfortable winners over League Two Rovers last Sunday and Andrews admits the Ibrox side will take some stopping in the coming months.
He said: "I didn't get a chance to see the Albion Rovers game. I was up preaching in Stornoway at the weekend so I didn't watch the game.
"I heard the score, though, one of my mates texted me. I heard they played well and won well.
"It is going to be a very different team this season compared to last year.
"They will obviously be big favourites for the league again this year. Ally has signed some very good players this summer, there are a lot of quality players there so they should be a very strong outfit.
"They are full-time and they have a lot of young players who did well last year and Ally has brought in eight good players this summer.
"They will be good games against Rangers this season. They will be favourites for the league and they will go on to win it."
The League Cup curtain-raiser will be a moment to remember for Andrews as he comes up against his former club for the first time since his Ibrox departure.
It is only a few months since he was pulling on the famous blue jersey again and appearing in a Legends match against Manchester United, taking the acclaim from the Ibrox stands and those who still hold him in high regard.
The Gers legions followed their side in huge numbers during their Third Division campaign and Andrews is expecting another Light Blue invasion this weekend as fans back McCoist's men – and sample the famous local delicacies.
He said: "One of the first things I was told when I signed for the club was that the bridies are very good!
"I know the Rangers fans will come out in their numbers and make it a great day with their support. I know how good they are from playing in front of them, they are brilliant.
"It will be a very exciting day for the club with the Rangers fans coming.
"There should be a great atmosphere in the stadium and hopefully we can play well for our fans and get a result."