Read every word of the manager's RangersTV interview following today's Old Firm defeat.
What are your thoughts on the game?
Hugely frustrated with the result and disappointed for the players. I thought they gave everything to the game. We’ve made one or two silly mistakes that have been costly. I thought the officials could have helped us on two occasions as well. The first goal is a goal. We can talk about Alfredo pushing but the boy is not looking at the ball or trying to play it. Alfredo’s number is twisted around his back and I think VAR officials have got that wrong. Not the officials on the pitch, the guys watching it inside. Because the officials see it like that, [VAR] get to look at it back. I also think that Davies heads the ball against Jota’s arm. I know it’s not outside his body but for both of them to go against us today is harsh. I thought our tactics were good. At times we were a little bit deep but in the main, we played very well, won the ball back and looked exciting. I thought we played good football and created chances. It’s a lost opportunity for us today which is hugely frustrating. There were good signs in there as well.
You were possibly in the ascendancy at points?
In moments at the start of the second half away from home, we had three big moments. Alfredo forces a good save, Jacko blocks the header close in and Todd shoots wide. We were in the ascendancy, you could feel it and the crowd was quiet and my boys played well, I’m disappointed for them. They deserved more from the game. In defeat, you can learn a lot and move forward but there were positives.
🎙️ Michael Beale spoke to @RangersTV after today’s match against Celtic. pic.twitter.com/MKY3EQ92Wg
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 8, 2023
Did the attacking threat please you?
Our intensity can be better over the 90 minutes but I’m not going to fault the players for anything today. I thought we played good football, battled and ran. I think the ultimate feeling coming away is mistakes were made by those in blue shirts. The game in my opinion was in our hands. I won’t pick on them because they were genuine, honest mistakes but they were costly today. I think we deserved to be 1-0 up, I’ve watched it back. The boy's not looking at the ball. For me, the foul is the other way.
And James Tavernier reaching 100 goals?
100 goals for Rangers is a fantastic personal achievement. When the dust settles it’s important we recognise that. I thought he played well. There are a lot of good performances today. We’re showing improvements and gaining trust in tactical ideas. It’s fine margins today, we don’t get anything for it, but we’re going to do stop marching forwards for certain.
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