Michael Beale insists there are no buddies on the training ground as he aims to make his immediate mark on his return to Rangers.
The former first team coach under Steven Gerrard has been back to work in the last two days after taking over from Gio van Bronckhorst and he says there is no old pals act as he was never that close to the players. He has also vowed to make big decisions and if he feels players are not pulling their weight they'll suffer the consequences.
Beale has already scrapped a proposed closed door game with Swansea City tomorrow as he continues to get the squad used to his new methods with an Ibrox friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on December 10, five days ahead of the Premiership resumption against Hibs.
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He told Sky Sports : "I wasn't that close to the players, to be honest in terms of friends. I was never anyone's friend, I was always a bit of a disciplinarian out on the training pitch. I was the moaner of the previous staff and that was my job to take training and drive standards.
"I was close to the players, I was never anyone's friend, so I feel that's not an issue. The fact we lived unbelievable experiences together I think the players know we can recreate and build something strong and special again. That actually gives confidence but it's not a case of me coming back in here and having a million friends in the playing staff, I do in the support staff.
"I need to look at those guys and know they're here for the right reasons and that they're moving forward, regardless of age. Age is not a factor, the factor is are they playing for Rangers and are they working every day to make Rangers stronger?
"Are they a good team-mate, are they a good person around the building? Those things are really important to me, that's what's being spoken about behind the scenes. I've told them I've got a big belief in them, otherwise wouldn't have wanted to have come back."
Beale also has a lengthy injury list to contend with but Ryan Jack is fit again and he is hoping he will have Connor Goldson, Ridvan Yilmaz and Tom Lawrence back too.
He added: "We have to get those players fit, they're fighting and working day in, day out to get back. I think that I have to create an identity that the fans are really excited about. It starts with us inside and the players being energised by it. I need to drive the standards and I have to be myself. Steven and Gio did a great job, now I need to add my stamp and it is a management team as well, it isn't just myself."
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