NEIL MCCANN is loving being back involved with Rangers having rejoined in a coaching capacity back in February.
The former Ger, who enjoyed a success spell with the club as player from 1998 to 2003, linked up with the Light Blues as part of Barry Ferguson’s backroom staff which has had a positive impact on the side in their results in recent weeks, notably through European progression and an away Old Firm derby win.
Speaking to the media for this first time since taking up his new role, he said: “I love football, I love being on the side of the pitch.
“I love coaching and I love the whole strategy of management.
“I have loved my time already in here, being part of Rangers is something I am very proud of.
“I was as a player, had a chance to come back in and put the badge back on again as a coaching team and that is great.
“We are in here to do a job and we are working very hard at it.
“What we are charged with is making improvements to the group.
“Make improvements to the individuals, get the fans back seeing a team that is really fighting.
“Showing all the qualities that you have to have as a Rangers player, it is not just about being a good footballer.
“Most of the time players come to this club and they should already be marked as a good player, having the right ability to play for Rangers, but there is a lot more ingredients go into actually being a successful Rangers player and we are trying to inject that into them.”
The former Dundee manager has praised the adaptability of the players since Ferguson has come in the door, often changing system in games and having an effect in swinging things in their favour, after recently coming from 3-1 down to win in Dundee last weekend thanks to Cyriel Dessers’ late winner.
He continued: “If we set up a plan that we think it would from the start it would be lovely for that to see that through, but teams will change against you if it's going well and sometimes you need to counter that.
“I think that is one thing about the group that they have been really good on.
“They have been accepting of changes made in a game, I think they have shown an ability to be adaptable in a game as well.
“We have all got ideas in the game, we set out our shape with our tactical plan but with how we think it might work out.
“You don't play against 11 robots; they are trying to get the upper hand.
“They will have players maybe playing really well and ask us more questions but I don't think it is about having a set way of playing and thinking that is going to get you results right through.
“I think it is really good to be flexible and we have shown already going to Fenerbahce and playing a different manner.
“We have gone to Dundee and played different ways.
“We have started at home against Motherwell and that didn't work out too well so it shows that our thought process of trying to get a result isn't always our way.
“It is sometimes an opposition can dictate how that is going and you have to be willing.
“I think that is one of things the gaffer has shown that he is prepared to change it.
“He is not prepared to just change personnel and think that will work, because sometimes it is very obvious that it isn't working and we have to change it.
“Every game we have to be showing that character.
“There needs to be a real willingness to win, sometimes you have got to dig deep because that always is going to go well for you.
“A game can be one in an ugly manner in terms of sometimes you have got to roll the sleeves up and be prepared to put your foot in.
“Sometimes you have to go right until the end and show that you have got a wee bit left in the tank.
“That can be difficult at times, particularly if you look at the Dundee game for example when we go back to 3-1 down and we have missed a number of changes.
“The pleasing thing for us is placing that demand on them, just the inner resolve just to keep going and believe they are going to score.
“We have worked really hard in the time we have been in here on attacking phases, on positions out of possession but obviously there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Rangers are back in action on Saturday afternoon up against an inform Hibs side at Ibrox, as the first-team coach spoke of what to expect whilst providing an injury update to the squad.
He added: “We have got a huge game coming up against Hibs, who are 15 unbeaten in the league.
“Play a certain way under David, aside I am absolutely delighted for them.
“I spoke to him previous to me coming in here because I know what it is like being a new manager. It is not easy and you have got ideas and sometimes it takes a wee bit of time before new players bed in and new ideas bed in.
“They have got something going and they have got some really good players there.
“I think they have got an understanding and belief about the group.
“They are going to pose a very hard challenge for us at Ibrox but they need to be ready for one back because we have been working extremely hard to get our boys into shape with a way of playing that we think can Rangers three points on Saturday.
“Cerny? He is still working with the medical department and he'll join us tomorrow hopefully but we are still unsure whether he'll make it or not.
“He is making really good progress so we are hopeful he will be involved on Saturday but we have got such big games coming up.
“Saturday is one of them but the European games are huge so we just have to be kind of guided by him.
“We will push him, as much we can because he has been really important for us, but we are taking no risks if he not feeling 100%.
“The rest of the squad is good.
“Bailey Rice took a knock in the game in Dundee but showed a wee bit of guts and determination to stay on as we couldn't make any more substitutes.
“I think he is another that is making progress, might have joined us today so we just need to find out with the medical team tomorrow morning.”