DEREK McINNES says focus has been on building connection, power and strength as the squad continue their pre-season preparations at Auchenhowie.
It’s almost the end of the first week as the new manager and his coaching staff get to work with the players, and McInnes has been impressed with how they have adjusted to the changes so far.
Speaking to RangersTV this morning, he said: “There’s always a bit of nervousness when players come back; in the main they’ve been really good.
“We’ve had players reporting back at different times, some of the lads still away at the World Cup, but those who have been here have acquitted themselves brilliantly.
“With a different manager there’s different demands and a different way of doing things, but the adjustments have been good. We are really enjoying getting to know the players, getting to know our way around the training ground and I feel like we are well into it.
“It is important we try and get as many of the players doing as many of the sessions as possible and trying to take them to a level where they can perform and get to what we want from them.
“Equally, at the same time, we don't want to pick up any injuries and have players missing a few sessions.
“For me, I am just looking at what they are going to give us; the effort has been there, and when new signings are coming in as there has been in the last week, we are just looking for that integration which is going to be so important for us.
“We are still a month away from the first game, but there's lots of work to do within that, both on the training pitch and the game preparation, but also in and around each other and trying to build that spirit.”
With four new signings announced in the past week, Ben Godfrey, Ross McCrorie and Dan Neil have joined the group, and McInnes has been happy with the early business.
He said: “A lot of the conversations were ongoing before I came in, but obviously getting things over the line isn't easy.
“People think it is easy to get signings in, but when there are good players involved there's more than one team involved, so I think the board and the recruitment team should be pleased with their work so far.
"Some signings will take a bit longer, which is just the way, but getting them in and familiarising themselves with the club and everybody else is important.”
Hear from the manager in full as he speaks to RangersTV ahead of training.
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