Michael Beale on Connor Goldson boost and Rangers contract teaser

Here is everything he had to say.

How’s the mood in the camp?

I think we’re ready to go. I think the last two weeks there’s been a lot of frustration that we’ve waited for it. Certainly on my part as well but I see a group that’s chomping at the bit to get started tomorrow night.

What do you need to see tomorrow night from your team?

I just need them to play as the best version of themselves. I need to see a team that’s got a lot of cohesion, that’s aggressive in its pressing, that’s aggressive in its forward running and I want them to show the same quality that they showed at the weekend against Bayer Leverkusen. I think that will give us a good chance of winning the game.

How ready do you feel to get started?

I think if you ask any manager we’d all want more time on the training pitch and more time with the group but on a personal level I feel overly ready for the game and I can’t wait for tomorrow night. I think it’s going to be a hugely proud moment for me but it’s more important that the fans and the players are aligned and we put on a strong performance at home at Ibrox.

How important is it to start with three points?

It’s hugely important. I think the players need to go out and play at the level I know that they can. I thought that they showed a good indication that they’re moving in the right direction on Saturday albeit it was against a Bayer Leverkusen team that’s behind us in their preparation for the second half of the season. But I thought we showed a good face. Everyone was involved so I’ve only got to pick 11 out of that and they’ve got to go an put on a strong performance. It’s just about winning the next game and all we can control is ourselves. If we win games of football then it gives us the best opportunity.

How are Connor Goldson and Ben Davies?

They’ve both trained. Obviously, Connor’s not been available for a long time. Ben’s a shorter amount of time compared to Connor but I wouldn’t say they’re absolutely 100 per cent for the game but they both have returned to training which is good news. It’s now about getting them ready to play 90 minutes. I think the number of subs you can have and also the ability to use five in-game, gives me the option to work them back within games rather than just outside of the team.

How important will it be to have him back?

Yeah definitely because Connor in the previous time I was here played 99 per cent of the time and was a really strong part of our team. He was vice-captain and led the time at different times and been hugely successful here. He’s a bedrock of our team and if we can get Connor back it’ll make a stronger Rangers for sure.

Can fans expect to see a completely different team than the one they’ve been watching this season?

I think they’ll see a team close to in-style really to what they were used to when I was here under Steven in terms of the way we want to play and play close together and play front-foot attacking football. Certainly, there’ll be elements of Gio and his staff as well within that and I think you’ll see, over time, that evolving. My ideas haven’t changed too much since when I was here previously and I think it’s just about freeing one or two players up. That always happens when a new coach comes in. That’s nothing against the previous management team but it almost shuffles the pack when a new coach comes in and changes the system a little bit. I’m hoping to see that renewed energy in one or two. I think it’s important for them that they show that as well.

For Malik Tillman, Alex Lowry and Ryan Kent, is it about exciting the fans again?

Yeah, for certain. I think they know what I think of them. I think young Alex is ripe now. I think he’s right there at the stage where he can make a breakthrough. With that comes a lot of responsibility because he’s got to dislodge someone that’s obviously a little bit older, a little bit more streetwise if you like and a little bit more experienced in the league but I think he’s ready. He’ll be very close to being in the team tomorrow.

Are Connor Goldson and Ben Davies in the squad?

They’re available for selection. I’m not going to give you the squad but they’re available for selection.

There’s talk of Leon King signing a new deal, can you tell us about that?

Yeah, there’s positive signs on that. I think you’ll hear something in the next couple of days and one other player as well signing new deals which I think is really important for the club. I think when you look at the squad we’ve got some players under 25 or 25 and below that are really important to the future in terms of what we want to do but also the style in which we want to play and Leon’s one of them so I’m delighted. He was part of the first team squad when I was here previously but he’s grown up a lot in the last year. It’s important we manage him well because I think he’s got the potential to kick on and be a very good player for Rangers and the national team as well.

The other player, is that a senior player?

One of the seniors yeah.

How confident are you that you can turn things around in terms of the title race?

I just need to win games of football. Not just myself, the players need to go out and win games but they’re more than capable of it. A few weeks ago I visited a game when they played against Aberdeen who were third at the time and they were very comfortable and strong that day in winning that game. You wouldn’t have foreseen the stuff that would’ve happened after that so I think we just need to win games one at a time, be consistently improving, be consistent in our training and improving there and the rest of it will take care of itself.

Do some players need to leave for that to happen?

I think we’ll look to improve. I would say that no one’s safe because I don’t want to bring any fillers into the squad. I only want to bring people in that can start in the first 11. I’ll have my own opinion on that which might differ from maybe the opinions of one or two months ago. It’s important I give everybody an opportunity to show but certainly I want to strengthen the squad. In every single position, I think we can improve the squad. Like most managers would say I don’t think anybody’s safe here, I think there are some players that are important to Rangers but at the same time, I wouldn’t hassle in terms of bringing someone in who I thought was stronger for the starting 11. I don’t want to bring any fillers into the building.

(Image: NQ)

How does it feel to be back in familiar surroundings but in a different role?

It feels very comfortable in and around the building, in and around the city and in and around this squad that’s for sure. You’re all being friendly at the moment so that’s good but that’ll change with results, we’ll see how it goes. I’ve mentioned that to my staff. I’m aware of the responsibility this job brings and the expectation. I wanted that so I’ve come back with open eyes and I'm really optimistic. I’m certain I’ll have some tough days, that’s for sure. The group will but it’s important that we move forward with a clear identity and it would be a matter of my staff learning that on the job.

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What does success look like for you this season? Do you need to win something?

Yeah, of course. I have to change the feeling around the club. The valuation of our players is probably not where it should be right now, some individual players because of how the whole team’s perceived. The team’s the vehicle. The club’s been in a fantastic place maybe five or six months ago going into a European final and 12-18 months ago, winning the league unbeaten. The players’ valuation was much higher in those moments. I think at the moment it’s not good for anybody associated with Rangers. The fans who feel it the most, the players as well and then myself and the staff. Between now and May I need to change that. I need to change that feeling, I need to change the way that we play on the pitch so it showcases the players more. Ultimately, the only way to do that is to win.

Is Ryan Kent any closer to signing a new deal?

No.

What do you make of Hibs?

I’ve not seen a great deal if I’m honest. I’ve been focused heavily on ourselves and the way that we perform because I think that a strong Rangers performing at the level will be enough in most domestic games. That’s my honest belief that we have to play at our level and we need to focus on ourselves. I’m aware of Lee from down south and the job he did at the clubs he was at there and I’m aware of three or four of their players. I think they’ve got a decent squad and they probably feel they’re underachieving at the moment.

Any news on the long-term injured guys?

I think you’re probably looking at the start to mid-January for one or two of those guys. You’re looking at say a Tom Lawrence or John Souttar. We’ve had some pleasing news on both of them. Kemar Roofe had been back in training but we just need to take it easy with him. There was a chance for him playing at the weekend but it’s me wanting people back and getting the best version back. I don’t want people back to break down within two weeks. The most important thing is when I look at the squad or the sum of the whole squad it’s important I have all of them players available as soon as possible but for a sustained period of time. I’ve asked the medical and sports science team to focus on that, not focus on the next four days to push a player out there who's not quite ready. I don’t think that’s fair and it’s not what I want either. I just want people back in a good place so that over time people can judge this squad fairly and give everyone the opportunity to improve our situation.

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When you were unveiled you said you wanted to win in a certain way, can you tell us a wee bit more about that?

I think we have to play as a big team because that’s what we are. We are a big team and we have a lot of expectations in terms of our fanbase and a lot of coverage on us. It’s important we play in a style. It’s important I allow our attacking players, firstly to play in the 11 and secondly, the freedom to go and express themselves. I think if we do that I’m sure we’ll play a style of football that’s nice on the eye and ultimately wins football matches.

Is it important to rotate the squad over the next few weeks?

Yeah, I certainly feel that players are chomping at the bit to have an opportunity and whoever I pick tomorrow, there’ll be nine players on the bench who are unhappy and maybe one or two outside the squad but they have to win the shirt in training. Nothing is given. I’ll only rotate if I feel that someone adds value to the starting 11. I certainly want to play with two strikers at times and you should expect that in the coming games that we play. That’s a little bit of a hint of what’s coming. I want to put more strikers on the pitch and more goalscorers and I want to play up and around the other team’s box. I’ve given away a little bit to you there.

You said you were going to speak to the players individually and if they want to be here, have you been happy with the response?

Absolutely delighted with that. It’s a group that was hurting when I came in. I spoke to a few of the senior players but also the young ones as well. It was important I got 360 feedback from everyone, staff as well. There’s been a few things that have changed since I was here before so it was important I didn’t come in and assume that everyone was in the same place mentally and physically or just in general with their football. It was important to listen to everyone but I’ve been delighted with everyone’s application so far. I certainly see a group of players that are focused on being here and doing well for the club and each other.

Do you think you can introduce your own brand of football sooner because of the World Cup break?

Yeah, I’ve got a head start haven’t I of any other coach if given this opportunity because I know the players and they know me. You’ll see some changes quite quickly in terms of structure, how we press, how we want to defend and certainly maybe one or two players where they are enabled to go in possession as well. In a normal sense, yes and certainly I’m not overlooking the fact that I’ve come in mid-season. I’ve not had a pre-season but I do have the advantage of having worked with these players for probably 600 sessions and 200 games over three-and-a-half years which was only 12 months ago. There’s certainly a part of us that are adapting more quickly maybe than a coach that came in cold.

How important is it to get a good result in your first game to help make up that nine-point gap?

It’ll only make up a nine-point gap if we win and something happens to the other team. At the moment all we can take care of is tomorrow. I think everyone’s clear that every game at this club feels like it’s a must-win and every week feels like a big week. In the three-and-a-half years, I was here before we said, ‘this week’s a big week, next week’s a big week,’ so I understand it. The players need to perform at their level. If they perform at the level they’re capable of and they show nice aggression in the way they play in and out of possession they’ll give themselves a good chance. I’m excited to watch them play. I’m hugely optimistic to get back to Ibrox tomorrow and for the fans to be behind the team. Hopefully, we keep the fans nice and warm rather than sitting there on their hands freezing cold.