Everything Rangers boss Michael Beale said after 3-0 Leverkusen win

How do you look back on today's game?

I wanted to use everyone because it’s been a tough few weeks. There’s a lot of frustration in there and they’re hurting so it was important we had a game. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t in the way because I’m looking at Thursday. So it was important to give everyone minutes and there was a lot of good things. I’ve put a lot of ideas into them quickly but I was pleased with a lot of what I saw. There were a few red flags which I’ll get into with the staff and it’ll take time. You can’t click your fingers and get everything you want straight away. It was pleasing that we didn’t have too many problems out of possession but you always have to take into consideration where Leverkusen are in their preparations and they’re further behind us. When you’re training against each other everyone knows what we’re trying to do so it was nice to play against a different opponent in terms of style. Thursday’s game will be completely different and the players know that. But the game was welcome for the players because they’ve had a lot of time on the training pitch, a lot of talking. Sometimes it’s best for footballers just to get out and run around in a game. It’s been a good day for us but Thursday is what we’re looking forward to obviously.

How many defenders will be ready for Thursday?

If everything goes to plan, I’ll have four options and not two for Thursday. It’ll just be a case of where they are physically. I won’t rush them because we have a busy period. I was pleased with Sands and King today. You have to remember that Sands is playing out of position and playing well. Young Leon has been thrown in as well. I’ve got every confidence in them for Hibs if the whole team defend like that. But the plan is that Ben [Davies] and Connor [Goldson] will return to training in the next 24 to 48 hours, which will be hugely important to the group. Connor is ahead of schedule.

How pleased are you with Malik Tillman today?

I’m delighted that Malik’s here and he wants to play slightly higher up the pitch. So we’re going to give him the freedom to run out of that midfield and into the positions he was in today. We have to let Malik go and make the game and make the team. In football you have ideas but players dictate and I have to allow these players to go and express themselves. Malik is a fantastic talent and we’re lucky to have him here in Scotland. He’s only 20 but he has a huge future ahead of him, hopefully for this club. 

How did Adam Devine do playing out of position?

The academy staff have played Adam at right and left-back. Sometimes having a right-footer at left-back means they play inside the pitch more - Jon Flanagan did it well for us a few years ago. I’ve got a lot of trust in Adam, we always had high hopes for him when I was here before. He’s grown up a bit just like Leon, Charlie McCann and Alex Lowry who also showed some nice touches today.

Having Goldson back early must be a huge boost?

We've got a fantastic relationship and I know Connor just wants to get out there and play for the team. There were times previously when I was here that he played when other players might not play. He's never got praise for that, he doesn't want praise, it's just the sort of boy he is. He's ahead of schedule. What I won't do is rush him because I want him to be fit for 90 or 100 per cent of the games that he can be fit for between now and the end of the season. It was his first longer-term injury for three or four years but we are definitely a stronger squad, team and dressing room for Connor's presence so if he is available great. Likewise, with Ben but we certainly won't rush them.

How vital is it to get Glen Kamara back to his best?

If the real Glen Kamara plays football, there will always be teams who want him. For the last few months for whatever reason, he's not always performed at the levels he can when he's played as a starting player. I watched back the game with Leipzig the other day and he gets a half-assist for the first goal in that game and scores the second, so I know how good Glen is. We have a fantastic relationship that goes back a long way and I'd always want him to be in a Rangers team that I was coaching or watching. In terms of the speculation, some of the clubs that are after him in my opinion the best version of Glen is too good to play for them.

Would you buy Tillman?

Would you buy him?

Yes.

So would I. It's a pretty obvious one. I really like Malik, he's exactly what I like in a footballer. He can take the ball, he can twist and turn, he's 20 and you can see what he could grow into. He's the exact type of player we want at this club. I don't the exact fee or where we are going to get it from but if we can do it, I would definitely sign Malik Tillman, yes. Sometimes for a 20-year-old boy and the intensity of the league, he's a player that will always perform better in a team that's confident and playing on the front foot. I don't want to comment on the past, but since the last two weeks he's gotten better every day in the training, with the ideas. Today, playing against a German team, was important for him and the two finishes were fantastic. I don't want to go too far, but it was like a young Michael Ballack used to play, arriving from deep and the header off the set play. That's all Malik can do - play the next game. Sometimes we want too much from young players, too soon. He's only been in the country four or five months and the style of football is different to what he's been used to but he's a fantastic talent.

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