Rich Sharpe reports from Ibrox where Lewis Travis' goal gave Rovers a 1-1 draw.

Require improvement was Rovers’ half time report, and they did just that at Ibrox to remain unbeaten in pre-season.

Jermain Defoe gave Rangers a deserved lead at the break as the hosts’ match sharpness, provided by their Europa League exertions, looked too much for the one-paced visitors.

But the introduction of Lewis Travis, who levelled midway through the half, and a raft of second half changes saw Rovers have the better of things in the second 45 minutes.

There was a more senior look to the Rovers side, which included first starts in pre-season for new signings Stewart Downing and Bradley Johnson, as well as Amari’i Bell after injury.

The signs were bright early on as within 60 minutes Bradley Dack had a shot blocked, while Darragh Lenihan headed a Downing corner straight at Allan McGregor before Rangers had settled.

But when they did, they took charge. Sheyi Ojo, operating in a free role, caused countless problems, firing wide himself in the seventh minute.

Scott Arfield’s looping header should have sounded as a warning to Rovers, who were allowing far too many crosses in to their box.

It was down the flanks that Rangers opened Rovers up midway through the half to create an opening for Defoe as he shot too closely to Jayson Leutwiler after Ojo’s pull-back.

The Liverpool loanee, after an earlier sighter, tested Leutwiler himself on the half hour with a dipping effort which the Canadian did well to divert over the top.

The hosts’ pressure eventually told though when Jordan Jones’ cross found an unmarked Defoe who had the freedom of the six yard box to head home.

With Rangers having already played two competitive Europa League ties, they were playing this as just that, with Rovers too one-paced as Jones went close to doubling the lead with his drive which drew an unconvincing save from Leutwiler.

For all their first half troubles Rovers could have gone in level through their best passage of play. Elliott Bennett fed Adam Armstrong who surprisingly, not least to Danny Graham who was on his heels, opted to for the pass, rather than shot, when clean through.

In a bid to add more energy, Lewis Travis replaced Corry Evans at the break and was quickly in to the action. He was at the heart of an excellent 51st minute move which would have brought a certain tap-in for Graham, from Armstrong’s cross, were it not for a fine George Edmondson interception.

Leutwiler remained the busier of the two ‘keeper’s however, making one fine fingertip save to keep out a curling Arfield strike, and then to hold on to a dipping James Tavernier free kick.

Rovers then made a trio of changes and were level in the 65th minute. Ben Brereton, one of the substitutes, found room in the box and after McGregor made a mess of his shot, the ball ran loose for Travis to tap in to the empty net.

That brought some life to Rovers, and their excellent 1,600 travelling fans as a good break ended with Armstrong shooting straight at McGregor.

It was still a little frantic from Rovers defensively, blocking efforts from Alfredo Morelos and Jones before Bennett saved a certain goal with a last-ditch tackle on Morelos.

Just three players played the full 90 minutes, but those coming off the bench will have provided plenty of food for thought for boss Mowbray.

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Katic, Edmundson (Helander, 60), Barisic, Jack (Docherty, 85), Davis (Aribo, 60), Arfield (Kamara, 60), Jones, Ojo, Defoe (Morelos, 60)

Rovers: Leutwiler, Bennett, Lenihan, Mulgrew (Nyambe, 76), Bell (Rothwell, 76), Evans (Travis, 46), Johnson (Smallwood, 76), Armstrong (Butterworth, 76), Dack (Buckley, 61), Downing (Hart, 77), Graham (Brereton, 61)