ANDY Halliday, the Rangers midfielder, has revealed how Pedro Caixinha, the new Ibrox manager, has cancelled one of their days off in a bid to bring the squad closer together and improve form.
Halliday has returned to training at Auchenhowie this week after recovering from a hamstring injury and has enjoyed working under the Portuguese coach.
The 25-year-old has admitted the former Uniao Leiria, Nacional, Santos Laguna and Al-Gharafa coach has made an instant impact since succeeding Mark Warburton earlier this month.
“We are in an extra day," he said. "The day off on the Wednesday has been scrapped. But I do really think the boys have enjoyed it. It is hard work, but it is certainly enjoyable.
"He has brought in something that we are not all used to. There has to be time to adapt to the new training regime, but we have done it really well.
"He has been delighted with the way the boys have trained and the intensity of the training session. But if you slack off and you aren't putting in the effort he wants he will certainly tell you about it.
“The Tuesday is really physical. When he brings us in on a Wednesday it is really just a recovery day. He just wants us to be in and see each other’s faces and gel as a group of players and get to know the staff a bit better."
Halliday added: “I think there might be a few divorces! Seriously, though, there’s not actually been any major changes. The demand is one of them and it’s certainly been refreshing.
“The training has been intense and there’s obviously the extra double session on a Tuesday. You enjoy working hard though so it’s been a very positive first couple of weeks and hopefully that can continue."
Rangers' performances this year have left much to be desired and have seen them fall eight points behind second-placed Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership table.
Halliday has stressed Caixinha, who arrived in Scotland with a reputation as a formidable reputation, is determined to turn their campaign around in the remaining matches of the 2016/17 campaign.
"We are all trying to get that one goal and get good results on the park," he said. "It has sort of got away from us. It has been well documented we have had quite a lot of poor results this season.
"The new manager has tried to change the mentality. He wants to get that winning mentality back. Most importantly, he wants to gel that team together. That extra day has certainly helped that because we see each other every day now.
“It is good. The training has been really enjoyable. I think the boys have adapted to the new training schedule, the new way of thinking, the new way of playing. First impressions have been really good. Long may it continue. "The boys got off to a good start with a convincing win against Hamilton. Hopefully we will do the same again at the weekend.”
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