Michael Beale spoke to TNT after Rangers were knocked out of the Champions League following a 7-3 aggregate defeat to PSV. Here's everything that he had to say...
Can you try and sum up how you are feeling?
Obviously hugely disappointed with the result tonight. I felt over the two legs we were unable to handle De Jong and Saibari, the two forwards, in both legs. In key moments in the game, certainly at set plays as well, we concede. Listen, the buck stops with me. I wasn’t happy with losing the way that we lost tonight. There were moments in the game that could have gone for us. I thought there were moments in the second half and some other opportunities didn’t go for us but it is obviously bitterly frustrating.
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Does the focus go and it leaves you open at the back?
Clearly, they are a very good team and better than the teams we face domestically. It is early in this team’s time as a new team coming together. We had to be brave tonight, we had to score a goal in the game. In two legs against PSV, we have scored three goals. The problem is at the other end of the pitch. I have to say they are a very good team but that doesn't take away from our disappointment.
Are there regrets about how you approached this one?
Not really. I think they are clearly a good team. At times in the first leg, we had the game where we wanted it and conceded off a set play. Tonight we find ourselves two down and score and in that moment of the game it is crucial. Within minutes we concede again. It is no secret that De Jong is good in the air but we were unable to stop him and the difference between the two teams was certainly quality, for sure, but the front two of PSV were too good for our team over the two legs.
Does this change things financially in your mind?
No, it doesn’t change anything. It was going to be a quiet end to the window in terms of ins anyway. That was part of the plan having spoken to everyone in the house. The club do plan for this. It is just the disappointment of the achievement that we wanted to have. We have played against an excellent team, and I am sure by the end of the season that will be shown. But it doesn’t make us feel any better this evening.
Does there need to be a realisation and does the Europa League feel right?
If you look at the Europa League this year, there are lots of good teams in it. We will wait and see what happens with the draw. For us coming into the first September international break, the aim was to get into the Champions League, get into the quarter-finals of the cup and to end this first period of league fixtures as high up or in front as we can. That is still in our hands. Today is obviously bitterly disappointing to be out of the Champions League but we played against an excellent team. An apology to the fans that came across. They stuck with the team in both legs and they expect a little bit more than what they got.
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