Michael Beale's Rangers bow: What we learned from Bayer Leverkusen win

Those who started at Ibrox today won’t necessarily be the 11 that take to the field on Thursday against Hibs but this was an opportunity to witness the ideas and general framework Beale has started to implement in the last two weeks.

While we can’t read much into the outcome of friendlies, it can show what a manager is trying to achieve. The ideas they’re attempting to implement. And after a fortnight spent referencing aggression off the ball, compact units and front-foot football, today’s 3-0 win was a positive sign ahead of a midweek return to competitive action.

In many ways, the approaches on and off the ball were polar opposites to recent months. With the centre of the pitch blocked off against the ball and flooded with it, allowing far more rotations and passing options. Ryan Kent and Rabbi Matondo, pinned to the touchline under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, both played within the width of the 18-yard box while James Tavernier and Adam Devine surged up either wing. Malik Tillman, the scorer of two first-half goals, excelled, shielded by a Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara double pivot.

Attacking positions were fluid and seemingly open to individual interpretation. Kent looked to start behind a front pairing of Matondo and Antonio Colak and dropped into every pocket, at points in the second half Alfredo Morelos was receiving off the right and then right through the middle. The midfield took on a variety of different forms depending on the phase of the game.

“I'm excited to get the attacking players to operate with my ideas because I think they are capable of doing more,” Beale had said when specifically highlighting the changes he’d make to the attacking unit.

“We’ve got to take the ball and we’ve got to attack. I’d like to see us run forward a little bit more off the ball and play a little bit closer together.”

He’s also continuously referenced the importance of the individual since arriving from QPR and a number looked more confident and engaged. Out of possession, Beale’s men sat on the halfway line in a bid to limit the spaces Xabi Alonso’s visitors had to work within. Again with a nod to the uncompetitive outcome of this game and a slower tempo than what will ensue on Thursday, this group of players looked all the more comfortable in a broad system most of them know well. Continuity was kept in the back four given options are extremely limited ahead of Hibs’ visit.

Their opening goal epitomised this muscle memory. A ball wide to Tavernier was delivered perfectly to an onrushing Tillman. He got his knee over a bouncing ball to break the deadlock and then rose highest at the front post from a corner. The same combination twice linking up to break through.

Seven changes at the break fed into Beale’s pre-match admission that today was more about opportunities than continuity. Morelos, Fashion Sakala, Scott Wright and Scott Arfield took up the front four positions and continued to rotate, drop and interchange with deliberate flexibility. Morelos’ pass into Arfield should have made it three, the Colombian won a penalty that was missed and then eventually turned provider for his Canadian teammate.

Xabi Alonso cut a frustrated figure, not satisfied with his team’s tempo and application which was often poor. Contrastingly Beale was largely an observer standing hands in pockets, clearly content with what was unfolding in front of him.

Of course friendlies, like press conferences, predictions and anticipation, count for nothing when the real football starts. However, today’s test was a welcome indicator of the methods Beale will attempt to utilise in his bid to get Rangers winning.

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