“No comment on the transfers today because we have spoken a lot in the week. As soon as anyone is signed and sealed, you will be the first to know.”

At the very least, Michael Beale’s intent was clear during Friday’s press conference. No more discussions about potential arrivals, no more divulgence of detail would take place after numerous hints and tips in recent weeks.

16 minutes later he’d confirmed the club’s interest in Nicolas Raskin, elaborated on the noise coming from Swansea City regarding Morgan Whittaker and added that Rangers were “very close on one or two” arrivals. 

“That’s the best answer not talking about a player anyone’s ever given me,” was the response of one press room colleague who put the Raskin poser to Beale.

“I like to compliment good players and he certainly is one,” came a smiling response.

This exchange captures the tone of Beale’s press conferences, which can often be viewed as box-ticking exercises where managers forcefully hold the party line and vociferously set the tone. Reporter’s questions only serve to set up pre-scripted answers and the prospect of a public dressing down is always entirely possible and sometimes predictable. 

Beale’s are different. There’s detail in abundance and the events never feel like a chore. More than anything, you sense this is just a man who loves his job and really, really enjoys talking about football. Isn’t that why we all invest so much in the game after all?

His approach shouldn’t be misjudged as naïve. Yes, Beale is still in his first season as a manager and yes, the more you talk the more likely you are to say something that requires clearing up later on. Beale’s already had to set the record straight on a couple of occasions.

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But the pros outweigh the cons. He’s understood from the very start that interviews are a tool to be used rather than an engagement you can’t say no to and focus entirely on just getting through.

Early interviews were peppered with buzzwords and key messages, which Beale repeated in various formats to disguise intentionality. ‘Releasing the handbrake’, ‘playing like the big team’ and ‘having a real identity’ were variations of phrases that had bounded around the Ibrox stands in this season’s early months.

“It’s important we create a strong identity which will be the rock that moves us forward,” he said speaking on stage at last year’s AGM. “I need to give the players a clear identity and real clarity of their roles.”

“We’re Rangers, we shouldn’t change for anybody. We should have a real strong identity on the pitch and every time we play we should try to impact and force that on our opponent. We shouldn’t take a backwards step against anybody.”

Beale's required strong personal skills to reach this stage of his career without a playing background to rely on and branded himself “overcooked and overready” as an assistant in the summer for a reason. Not content with simply holding huge influence as an assistant, the time had come to take centre stage on the touchline and in front of the camera.

Of course, the type of open approach to transfer links Beale has employed relies on said deals being completed. Otherwise, expectations are only heightened before being let down. But, in a world of tired media-trained answers, his approach is refreshing.