Michael Beale has demanded his Rangers players 'show him' they want to be at Ibrox as they stake a claim against Bayer Leverkusen.
The new Ibrox gaffer - who came in following the decision to axe Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst - wants his current crop to display their desire to be part of his Ibrox era when they play the German side in a friendly in Govan later today.
The showdown with the Bundesliga outfit will give supporters a first glimpse of the hard work that has been going on behind the scenes during the World Cup shutdown since the sensational return of the 42-year-old. He served as No2 under Steven Gerrard during his reign at Rangers but he is back as the main man with his new regime ready to begin. His first competitive match comes next week under the lights against Hibs with this game a big chance for players to put down a marker ahead of the Premiership return.
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He told Rangers TV : "Every player this weekend will be given an opportunity.
"If I'm a fan, I wouldn't look too closely at the team that starts and think, 'that's what the management team will go with against Hibs'.
"I have told the players everyone will have an opportunity this weekend to show me they want to be part of things.
"We don't play friendlies. So it's not going to be flying into tackles but I want it to be focused and intense and I want the players to show me they want to be here and the role that they can play.
"Certainly in the attacking positions, where we have got a number of players, I am going to give everyone an opportunity to stake a claim."
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