Rangers kicked off the Michael Beale era as they handed their new boss a comfortable 3-0 friendly victory over Bayer Leverkusen on his first match in charge.
The Light Blues remain a long way off the title fight with Celtic but there were encouraging signs for the new gaffer as his side swept past Xabi Alonso’s team. Malik Tillman did the damage in the first half with a well-taken double. Captain James Tavernier missed a late penalty but there was one last cheer for Beale’s team as Scott Arfield wrapped up the win five minutes from time.
The 20,000 or so fans who braved the Baltic conditions turned out looking for a first glimpse at how Beale ball is going to shape up ahead of Thursday, when Beale’s new methods will be put to the test in competitive action against Hibernian. Glen Kamara and Rabbi Matondo were given chances to impress having failed to nail down regular slots under the previous regime, while kid defender Adam Devine was in at left-back.
