MICHAEL BEALE has reportedly handed Rangers B team players Zak Lovelace, Adam Devine and Charlie McCann a first-team training chance.

It's reported the new Ibrox boss quickly added the youth trio to top training as he began his reign at Auchenhowie.

The Daily Record report Beale moved swiftly to bolster his training numbers with the talented youngsters with international players given extra time off and Borna Barisic at the World Cup with his country.

In turn, the limited first-team numbers scenario opened the doors for Beale and his backroom team to cast an eye over Lovelace, Devine and McCann ahead of the return of domestic action.

The trio have all trained with the first-team previously and all featured in the League Cup for Rangers this season.

Devine and McCann have also been included in matchday squads for the Scottish Premiership this season.

Full-back Devine was part of the Rangers Champions League squad and travelled with Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side for all six matches in the group stage but McCann was not included in the squad.

Lovelace has impressed in the Lowland League for Rangers this season with eight goals and four assists in 16 outings in the competition.

Both Lovelace and McCann have also featured - albeit increasingly sparingly - for the B team this term.

However, it appears Beale is keen to keep an eye on the trio with them included in Rangers training shortly after his appointment to the top job at Ibrox.

It comes after Beale insisted he's not anybody's friend when quizzed on his relationship with players - as he cited his working style under Steven Gerrard at Ibrox.

He told Sky Sports: "I wasn't that close to the players, to be honest in terms of friends. I was never anyone's friend, I was always a bit of a disciplinarian out on the training pitch.

"I was the moaner of the previous staff and that was my job to take training and drive standards.

"I was close to the players, I was never anyone's friend, so I feel that's not an issue.

"The fact we lived unbelievable experiences together I think the players know we can recreate and build something strong and special again.

"That actually gives confidence but it's not a case of me coming back in here and having a million friends in the playing staff, I do in the support staff."

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