IT is the first day proper of your new job and you find yourself being sent to darkest Lanarkshire with the likes of Nacho Novo and Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan for company. Sometimes, life just isn't fair.
As Paul Le Guen gazes around Fir Park for the season opener against Motherwell on Sunday, he might wonder why this experience was not part of David Murray and Martin Bain's sales pitch when they were attempting to persuade him to choose the Ibrox club in preference to any number of European sides.
Still, he is here now and is charged with the task of restoring domestic respectability to a Rangers side who, at times last season, didn't even scare Livingston.

A slow start, followed by an even slower spell from October to Christmas, an unimpressive January and an underwhelming finish ensured a silverware-free campaign for Alex McLeish's last in charge. The fans will not tolerate another season without a trophy to celebrate so Le Guen will find himself under pressure to deliver immediately.
His summer transfer activity has seemed positive with Jeremy Clement, Lionel Letizi, Karl Svensson and Libor Sionko all players of pedigree who can add quality in key areas. Mind you, the same thing was said about Pierre-Fanfan last season.
Even the French defender, though, has looked relatively solid during a pre-season in which Le Guen has drilled his side to be one of the fittest and most organised in the division. The players – a certain Dutchman apart – all seem content with the new manager, with many speaking out in support of the former Lyon coach and his methods, and the atmosphere in the camp appears buoyant.

It all bodes well for the months ahead, especially if Kris Boyd can maintain his staggering goalscoring form and Thomas Buffel can take the form he has shown this summer into competitive matches. The defence looks a lot more solid this season and while – like many of the squads in the league – it lacks a bit in depth, even that has not been enough to convince Le Guen to give Olivier Bernard a game.
As long as they are not unduly hindered by injuries and suspensions, the Ibrox club should provide a genuine title challenge in the coming campaign and ensure that Gordon Strachan does not experience as straightforward a season as he enjoyed last time round.