Michael Beale in 'couldn’t have been any worse' Morelos Rangers claim

Here is everything he had to say.

What was your take on that?

It was never going to be a beauty contest because I don’t think the surface allows for that. Kilmarnock started on the front foot and we started the complete opposite. We didn’t heed the warnings the staff had given players and we found ourselves 1-0 down, with a mountain to climb. Again, I thought we recovered well, dominated possession and scored a very good goal. We had to organise a bit at half-time, we did, got ourselves 3-1 in front and maybe could have scored a couple more. Then in the last five minutes, again, we give away a sloppy set play. It’s the first time they’ve been up there in the second half, the boy has a fantastic strike – and it becomes a bit less comfortable. I knew it was going to be a tough game on a tough surface, especially after 120 minutes at the weekend. I would have taken anything to get out of here with three points. So I’m not going to sit here and moan. There were moments I was pleased with and other moments that we need to work on. That’s clear to everybody. The start is a concern because you know what’s coming here. You either stand up to it, which we did after the first five, or you don’t. If you take out the first five minutes and the last five or six, the bit in between was good. There are things I can’t work out at the moment, things I’ve spoken about with the group. But we go again – and we’re finding a way to win matches at the moment. Our front three are putting in a great shift, getting numbers each week. For large parts of the second half, we played really well. Then we concede at the end and everyone is nervous. But we get out of a tough place with three points. They had only lost one in nine at home, that was against Livingston, the other team that play on the artificial surface – the surface is tough.

Did the players offer an explanation about the beginning and end?

Not with any common sense, no, because there’s a bit of emotion in the air! They’re as frustrated as me. We’ve played nearly as many games as we’ve had training sessions. So it’s about remembering some old themes from maybe 18 months ago, rocking up and playing games. The results are good. We just need to tighten the screws in one or two areas, because we’re scoring goals. We can’t keep on going behind and coming back. It’s all right saying it shows a fantastic mentality but we can’t keep doing it.

You changed the goalkeeper again, is that something you’re going to continue to do?

I think if we hadn’t played 120 minutes at the weekend we might’ve stuck. It was the right thing to do tonight. I think everyone should expect to see Allan again at the weekend and then after that we’ll assess from there. I think it’s clear at the end of the season we need to either bring a goalie in or make sure that we’ve made a decision on Jon or Robby to be Number 1. I have to give that and I have to give all the players in-house an opportunity as well because I am going to change players in this squad over time. I am going to change the look of Rangers, we’re going to re-energize it with young players coming in and we’ve got a lot of uncertainty around some of ours. At the moment, everyone’s pulling in the right direction. I couldn’t be more pleased with the three goalkeepers I’ve got right now. Obviously, Robby’s not fit but he was in Scotland’s last squads. He was the third choice, obviously, Craig [Gordon] has got injured so Robby’s really keen to play and whenever Jon plays he does well for us.

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That was Alfredo’s first double of the season and he looked more on the edge tonight. Did you detect that as well that he was back to doing what he does best?

He couldn’t have been any worse than he was first half before he scored if I’m honest. I’m tough on Alfredo, we have a really honest relationship. He was much better second half than he was first half, he secured the ball a lot more. First half, he’s trying and he does some things that are spontaneous that come off but when they don’t sometimes he can leave the team open. He made a similar pass tonight to the one he made against Celtic. In those moments, that’s not what I want, it’s not what the team want. We want him up around the centre-halves, using his body to help the team come up the pitch. I thought he took both his goals really well tonight.

How much are you looking forward to having a free week next week to work on a few things?

Definitely, for everyone, it’s been a big push this last period. We’ve got a huge game at the weekend. We need to go to Perth and we have to put on another strong performance. What we need is the result so at the moment we need the results as much as we need the performance. If I had to choose one I’d prefer the results to keep coming because over time you would think that the group will improve.

(Image: NQ)

Is there a long list of things you want to do next week?

A few conversations are to be had with one or two players. A few things to highlight but I’m seeing signs. At times in the second half tonight we were comfortable in the game on a difficult surface. Our style had overcome Kilmarnock who were really dominant in the early part of the game. We were 3-1 up, we could’ve maybe scored a couple more and it’s just those moments. Maybe that’s communication, maybe it’s the concentration. The staff don’t play, all we can do is give them the warnings and on the pitch, they need to come together in those moments and be more assertive.

Russell Martin said Swansea turned down a bid for Morgan Whittaker, can you give us Rangers’ take on that?

Did he really? I didn’t know we had made a bid but I will talk about the player. They have recalled him for a reason. I would say that he was one of the better if not the best player in League One in the first half of the season and unless they have recalled him to play him, they must have recalled him to move him to a higher level. I think he is a good player but there is nothing more than that. And that is not what I have been told in-house.

Do you not foresee Allan McGregor playing any part at all next season?

We’ve not had that conversation but I’m sure Allan is of an age that he’s thinking about coming nearer to the end. He’s obviously out of contract as well. I think Allan played well at the weekend. I think there’s a lot of noise around our goalkeeper situation but I wasn’t here in the first half of the season when those things happened. I’m here now and I’ve been quite happy with the goalkeepers.