It was noted this week that Rangers have opted to cancel the proposed training game with Swansea City in favour of continuing the hard work on the training pitch.
An agreement had been in place for one time Ranger Russell Martin to bring his side to Auchenhowie for a bounce match but following the arrival of Michael Beale, it will no longer take place. What that means is that the Rangers squad can enjoy the continuity of almost two full weeks of training ahead of the practice game against Bayer Leverkusen in front of the Ibrox crowd next Saturday.
That fixture will see an expectation from Beale for his men to bring the work from training into a game situation in preparation for the real action days later against Hibs on 15 December. That Thursday night return to action will be televised live on Sky Sports in what will be a highly anticipated evening and the dawning of a new era on Edmiston Drive, one that is hopefully a prosperous and progressive time on the pitch for Rangers.
Beale previously mentioned to Sky that he and his group would benefit from an effective mini pre-season which is exactly what is unfolding. Moving into next week, the preparation for Hibs will be stepped up with the visit of Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen providing a decent dress rehearsal for the crucial resumption of the competitive season. From mid-December, Rangers and Beale will meet a test of their resolve and credentials over several weeks with the Premiership games coming thick and fast, interspersed with ties in both cup competitions coming later in January.
It is all work, no play for now but this training time is so important to get off to mark in the right manner.