Neil Banfield has no questions about the quality of the Rangers squad. After just two training sessions the new Ibrox coach was left impressed by both the experienced and talented young players at the club.
The former Arsenal coach - brought from QPR with Michael Beale - has worked in various key youth development positions and hinted at opportunities for the Ibrox youngsters this season.
"We've seen the quality in the squad in the last two days in the work Michael wanted to do and they have been very receptive to what Mick wants to put into them," said Banfield in an interview with Rangers TV.
"They've trained with an intensity and I think they're enjoying the training that Mick has put on - albeit it's two days but we can see that there's a good future for us.
"We've seen that there are some young players which is also great and there are some good young players coming through at the club which is a bedrock in building a successful football team. And allied to the great experience that the team has got it will bear us for a really good run in for the rest of the season."
Banfield brings a wealth of experience in coaching both youngsters and elite players to his new role at Ibrox.
And he's thrilled to join Beale - who he signed as a 14-year-old for Charlton - again having been invited to become part of his backroom staff at QPR earlier this year.
He said: "I've known Michael many moons ago when he was a player. I first signed him at Charlton when I was head of youth, he was a 14-year-old gangly left-winger.
"We've both went our ways but we kept in touch and I watched Michael grow as a coach and we reconnected at QPR.
"We stayed in touch briefly and known of one another and then he was given the opportunity to be Queens Park Rangers manager and he invited me to be a part of his backroom staff.
"I started at Charlton as head of youth. From Charlton I went to Arsenal and I had 21 years at Arsenal where I was head of youth, head of the elite group, reserve team manager and I ended up as first-team coach with Arsene Wenger.
"I think being a first-team coach is different from being a development coach when I was head of youth - when you were developing players.
"Now, when you're in the first-team it's more tactical work, winning games and how you're going to win and how you're going to break teams down. It revolves around the tactical side of the game more and getting your team prepared to go and win the next game.
"I'll be assisting Michael along with Damian and Harry and all the functions that he puts on and all the work that he does and the way he wants to drive the club. We'll be assisting him on day-to-day work in the analysis room with all the analysis and pushing the club forward."
While Banfield remains a new face at Ibrox since his recent arrival - he reckons he was immediately aware of the demands at the club and can use his previous experience to help improve the club. "Outstandingly so," said Banfield of how his previous roles at clubs can help in a must-win environment in Glasgow. "I think you can feel the passion that is within the club and the drive, and the determination to be successful.
"I think you get used to the pressure of working at a high-intensity club and you can feel it straight away as you walk through the door here at Rangers."
