Walking into the press room following Saturday’s 5-2 win over St Mirren, Michael Beale was not in a celebratory mood.

The concession of two goals and reaction at defensive transitions proved a source of frustration on a day where Rangers needed three goals after 80 minutes to win.

When you consider an early missed penalty and compare the quality of chances created, this game ought to have been more comfortable by the final stages when two Alfredo Morelos goals and a Scott Arfield strike sealed three points.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom, however.

Rangers’ fifth goal of the day, finished by Arfield, came off the back of a team-wide 60-pass move.

Yes, a goal scored when 4-2 ahead in a dead rubber league match is not the making of great Rangers teams. But, thanks to the club’s release of their birds-eye camera view, it did showcase some of the principles of play Beale’s developing at Ibrox.

Making the pitch small

The first detail to notice, which demonstrates why Beale is so focused on his team’s shape out of possession, is how Rangers regained the ball straight from St Mirren's kick-off.

Look at the difference in shape between John Souttar's initial header and the visitors collecting the ball in midfield. The hosts quickly crowd the area, forcing their opponent into a position where they can force a turnover.

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Notice, while the three attackers don’t actively win the ball back they make the pitch smaller, meaning they limit the ball carrier’s option. Beale’s happy to trade off space on the opposite side of the pitch to hunt in packs.

Although from a birds-eye view the intensity of Rangers’ press theoretically leaves space elsewhere, in reality, that’s probably not the experience of the ball carrier, who of course does not enjoy such a vantage point.

Making the pitch big

From here, as the ball is worked backwards Rangers immediately spring to make the pitch big. St Mirren retreat into their shape with five defenders relatively narrow across the back line, retaining a high line of engagement.

The home side plays a couple of switches to stretch their opponent’s front line and gradually gain territory.

To create chances you first have to move the defence. Throughout this passage, Rangers are trying to gradually erode St Mirren's resolve and attack gaps when they arise.

Fluidity and occupying key zones

As pass number 12 is made, Morelos drops deep to link play. Notice Arfield and Cantwell have remained on the last line occupying the St Mirren defence.

READ MORE: Explaining Michael Beale's football philosophy 

Beale wants his attackers to interchange positions and play with fluidity while still occupying key zones. So, if a striker drops a midfielder pushes up or if a wide player moves infield somebody occupies his zone in return.

This keeps the areas attackers receive the ball in unpredictable. A few passes later the eventual assisted, Cantwell, is out on the left touchline stretching St Mirren before playing the ball back infield. 

Notice the positioning of Morelos and Matondo in this frame. Although the latter came on to play wider than Fashion Sakala, it was a common theme for Rangers’ front two to line up as split strikers down the side of the opposition defence.

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As witnessed previously under Beale, this tactic can allow Rangers to target space down the sides against a back five and either move the centre-backs by forcing them to track runs, or create overloads if the forwards move untracked.

Look at the successful passes into Morelos and Sakala. They were far more active in wide areas.

The positioning of Arfield in this frame is also worth highlighting. Starting just off the forward line and behind the defence will eventually allow him to run on the blindside of the defender. A movement that, as Beale later complimented, he's made a career out of.

Using a back three and playing with patience 

Reaching the halfway mark, two details become obvious. Rangers don’t rush the attack as they reach the penalty box, they're comfortable playing backwards even after reaching the final third.

Why? With James Tavernier on the ball here, what's the advantage of a forward pass with St Mirren well outnumbering Rangers in the centre?

Playing backwards at the right time draws an opponent out. Patience is important when looking to break down a defence. 

"Manchester City do a lot of what I would call ‘up back and through’ patterns to open up the opponent. They pass backwards to draw the opposition forwards and out of their defensive shape. Then they look to exploit spaces," explains David Adams, the Technical Director of the Welsh Football Association.

A back three in possession also materialises at this point, with Borna Barisic tucking infield, Souttar moving backwards and Tavernier pushing high.

Notice as the ball is worked left again, Ianis Hagi has his arm outstretched telling Rabbi Matondo to remain wide and keep St Mirren’s wing-back pinned.

This occupation of the central zone, half space and wide lane is important. Although Beale wants flexibility, he also wants his team to keep the opponent stretched. 

As the ball goes infield Cantwell’s in another position, this time taking the ball of the centre-backs. The unpredictability of his positioning doesn’t allow St Mirren to double up on the midfielder. Something that will become apparent for the goal.

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Cantwell bides his time, again going backwards instead of trying to run through the congested centre.

At pass 45 we can really see the benefits of the passing angles a back three fosters. Lundstram and Barisic are ahead of either wide central midfielder and behind the two strikers. 

Now, it’s Hagi in the widest lane with Matondo infield. Again, flexibility with occupation is evident. 

Playing backwards to go forwards

From here, Rangers go backwards again. By employing this tactic they're always stretching their opponent. Look at the difference in this frame...

Compared to five passes later.

Of course, this tactic only works if someone eventually goes for the jugular. 

As the ball is worked left again, the visitor's front two momentarily fail to fall back into shape. Cantwell recognises there's a gap and moment to exploit with Rangers having slowly but surely worn their opponent down

From here, there are three elements to consider.

Firstly, Matondo stretches the defence by hugging the touchline, while Morelos makes a decoy run across the defence.

This means that Charles Dunne has to stand up Cantwell as he drives inside, with Thierry Small unable to tuck in because Tavernier is stretching the defence on the other wing.

These factors combine to grant Arfield a blindside run, which he finishes through the legs of Trevor Carson.

Looking at the sequence in full, the side-to-side, backward passing is evident before Rangers eventually picked their moment to attack.

Rangers are clearly developing in possession under Beale, with the themes playing out for Arfield's goal becoming increasingly apparent. The manager will hope it's a sign of things to come ahead of a vital end to the month.