'We have spoken about starting like we finished last season'

Angel Rangel is targeting a flying start to the new Premier League season as Swansea City bid to build on their rousing finish to the last campaign.

The Swans kick off 2017-18 with a trip to Southampton this weekend before taking on Manchester United in their opening home game.

Paul Clement’s men then face a trip to Crystal Palace before the first international break of the new season.

And Rangel has revealed that the Swans are desperate to pick up where they left off last term.

Clement’s side took 29 points in the second half of last season – a club record in the Premier League era – to pull clear of relegation danger having been deep in trouble at the turn of the year.

“We hope to carry on that momentum from the end of last season,” Rangel said.

“That was a point we made at the end of last season and again at the start of pre-season.

“We finished last season on a high. We want to make sure we start the new one in the same way.”

The key to last spring’s successful survival bid was the Swans’ form at the Liberty Stadium.

But they chalked up victory on their last away day in the league, at Sunderland back in May, and banked a hugely creditable draw at Manchester United on their previous road trip.

Now the Swans go in search of another travelling triumph against a Saints side who have a new manager, Mauricio Pellegrino, despite finishing eighth in the top flight back in May.

“Hopefully we can get a few points on the board in the first few games of this season,” Rangel added.

“Because if you do that, it makes things easier as you go on. It is good to get some early results because then the table looks good.”