Turning over spare motor

Hi Gents, i have a spare engine that has been sat in the garage for a few years and feel that i should try and turn it over to check that its not seizing up, any suggestions as i have never had to try this and am not the smartest when it comes to motors, someone suggested putting it in gear and turning it by the drive shaft, does it matter which direction and would i need to remove spark plugs
many thanks

-Pull the right sidecover.

-Rotate the crankshaft clockwise with the correct size wrench or socket. (I almost want to say it's stamped with an arrow indicating the correct direction.)

Removing the plugs would make things easier, especially if you're trying to see if it's frozen or not- you wouldn't be fighting compression.

You might also want to put some diesel into each cyl and let it sit for a couple of hours just in case it is a bit stiff. How long has the engine been sitting without being turned over?(

Hi its probably been sitting a couple of years if im honest, it was at my mates garage and i have just got it back

How about trying the Alan Millyard method..
.

If its going to sit for an indefinite time you should pickle it. Put some type of lube in the cylinders and try to find those desiccant filled plugs that screw into the spark plug threads.