NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE BALL DO HARD WORK

THE weary Ibrox squad are catching a breath after a gruelling week being put through their paces by new Rangers boss Russell Martin.

- By Andy Newport

But, as well as hitting peak fitness, Martin hopes his men have grasped how to make the ball do the hard work for them.

The Light Blues are back in Glasgow after spending the past few days topping up their stamina levels at the plush St George’s Park in Staffordshire.

There was double sessions and draining runs at the £80million training base used by Thomas Tuchel’s England as Martin led an exhausting preseason workout schedule designed to push his players to their limit.

High-level conditioning is a key requirement for the ultra-aggressive, possession-heavy game the ex-Southampton boss hopes to implement at Ibrox.

But Martin is convinced that the fundamental principles he’s drummed into his squad this past week will bear fruit.

He said: "It’s all about habits. The first couple of weeks have been about instilling some good habits and some principles that are going to be so important, whatever formation we play.

"Whether it’s the first minute or the last minute, we’re at home, we’re away, playing in Europe or the league.