Rangers got life under Michael Beale off to the perfect start with victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Ibrox.
The Light Blues boss used the fixture to give all his squad the chance to stake a claim with Hibs making the trip to Govan next midweek for a Thursday night clash under the lights as the Premiership gets back up and running following the shutdown for the World Cup finals in Qatar.
The home side looked quicker on the ball and much higher in the attacking positions with Malik Tillman' s first half double in the space of six minutes from two James Tavernier crosses and Scott Arfield's late strike settling this friendly encounter. The first half of the season under Giovanni van Bronckhorst has left Rangers trailing Celtic by nine points in the league and out of the Champions League as Beale targets Ange Postecoglou's Hoops and domestic cup success with a Hampden semi-final on the horizon. Here are three things we learned about Rangers' triumph over their Bundesliga opponents.
READ MORE: We 'signed' Billy Gilmour for Rangers in January transfer and he was a star under Michael Beale
Major role going forward?
Glen Kamara was in from the start for this one after a disappointing season to date under previous boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst with game-time not at the level he will have hoped.
He was a major player under Steven Gerrard's reign with Beale his assistant at that time and he could be one that plays a big role for the second half of the season.
Clubs in France and Italy have been linked with January moves for the Finland Player of the Year but the new boss has already stated he can play a huge role under his tenure.
He said: "Glen has got 100 per cent of my trust. He was hugely important in my previous time here and while he’s still young, he’s coming into the prime of his career.
"He will be a big player for Rangers moving forward."
Stake a claim
Leon King returned from his concussion knock to take his place at centre-back and was joined by fellow youngster Adam Devine in the back-line.
Injuries at centre-back to the likes of Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and John Souttar meant King was thrown in at the deep end under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and exposed to first-team football at the highest level. He will be hoping to keep his place and taste a successful period under the new boss.
At left-back, Devine showed his battling qualities as he looks to make his mark. Big money summer recruit Ridvan Yilmaz is yet to return from injury with no timescale set on that while Borna Barisic is still at the World Cup with Croatia. That could present the youngster a big chance in the Premiership return with Hibs after doing his chances no harm in this one with Leverkusen.
The new Rangers boss as promised gave all his squad a chance with a raft of changes throughout the game.
A new era and a fresh start the squad!
Positive vibe
The Rangers players as a whole seemed to play with more freedom in the attack and looked dangerous every time they attacked.
Skipper James Tavernier got back to what he does best as he set up two goals in the opening 20 minutes with stunning crosses.
Malik Tillman - who arrived with huge promise - showed what he can do with a brilliant double. He is one that could have a major say in any success that arrives at Ibrox under Michael Beale.
Rangers' build-up play on the attack and in possession looked much quicker and slicker in what will please the home support.
A perfect start for the new boss with all eyes on Hibs next midweek.
READ NEXT:
- We 'signed' Billy Gilmour for Rangers in January transfer and he was a star under Michael Beale
- Celtic 'join' Rangers in James Wilson transfer battle as Hoops eye further SPFL top talents
- Ridvan Yilmaz 'loves' Rangers as agent fires clear message over transfer speculation
- Michael Beale's 'crazy' Rangers move from QPR as Lyndon Dykes opens up on new Ibrox boss
