Michael Beale insists his Rangers side "don't do" friendlies.

The Scottish Cup holders take on Bayer Leverkusen at home tomorrow in what will be the Englishman's first game in charge of the club.

Despite nothing being on the line in the fixture, the 42-year-old has maintained his team will be taking the match very seriously.

Speaking to Rangers TV, he said: "Every player this weekend will be given an opportunity.

"If I am a fan, I would not look too closely at the team which starts and think that is what the management team will go with against Hibs

"Every player will have a chance to show they want to be part of things.

"We do not play friendlies so I want it to be intense. I want the players to show me they want to be here and that they can play.

"Certainly, in the attacking positions where we have a number of players, I am going to give players opportunities.

"Then we are straight back in Sunday, we do not have time for days off and will be straight through till Thursday.

"This Saturday is about fine-tuning and giving everyone the opportunity to show the management team they want to be part of the future.

The Englishman also gave more insight into the backroom staff that he has brought to the club, as well as the members of the previous regime who will be remaining at Ibrox.

He said: "Neil Banfield, who was my coach until I was 16 at Charlton. He ran a successful youth academy there and then moved to Arsenal in 1997 and stayed there until 2018 as U18s coach, reserve coach and head of the academy.

"He also spent eight or nine years as first team coach under Arsene Wenger, so he has seen some very good players over the years.

"I am delighted to have him join as an assistant coach.

"Joining him as assistant coach is Damien Matthew. He is a former Chelsea, Crystal Palace and England under-21 player.

"He retired at 28 and went into coaching. He gave me my first job at Chelsea 20 years ago, which was nice.

"He went on to work at Charlton and brought through several young players, such as Jonjoe Shelvey and Joe Aribo as assistant manager and first team coach. He comes in and knows me very well.

"Neil will work predominantly with defenders and Damien will work predominately with midfielders.

"We have a first team development coach, Harry Watling. He is going to come in and work specifically with the younger players, coming from the academy.

We have also brought in Jack Ade as head of performance.

"He is from St Albans down south, but he also has experience at Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool over the last eight years.

"He worked with me as part of Liverpool U23s.

"Staying around me is big Colin Stewart. I have known him for a while and I am delighted he is staying.

"He works closely with the goalkeepers. Young Graham Stevenson is heading up the analysis department.

"He knows it is an area I am quite picky on in terms of the videos and the areas we need to work on as a team.

"I worked with him strongly for three-and-a-half years."


READ MORE: