Michael Beale’s last appearance at Hampden Park against Celtic didn’t go too well. It all ended - quite literally for Ryan Jack - in tears as Christoper Jullien’s goal settled a tight League Cup final at a rain-sodden national stadium just over three years ago.
The Englishman would eventually get the last laugh against his bitter rivals as they embarked on a SEVEN game unbeaten run against their rivals before his departure for Aston Villa alongside Steven Gerrard. Now he’s back and his own man and a 2-2 draw in his first derby saw him earn plenty of praise for going toe to toe after Giovanni van Bronckhorst suffered a thumping defeat in the league meeting earlier in the season.
But now comes the big one. After Beale’s own personal record of eight without defeat against Celtic, will be on cloud nine come tea time on Sunday? He faces his biggest test as a manager in his own right for the massive Viaplay Cup final and Record Sport looks at five issues facing the Rangers boss going into the game.
Trophy tally stat
The Union Bears made their point that they aren’t happy about the club’s recent record for silverware, using Beale’s own quote on Ibrox standards to enforce their message with a banner at Livingston. "Two major trophies in eleven years - uphold the standards that matter” they said, referencing Beale’s words when he said that allowing Partick Thistle to score unopposed the previous week was about club standards. It’s a poor return since returning to the top flight after their journey through the leagues from the bottom tier of Scottish football. Beale actually played his part in winning one of those two trophies - the one that mattered most of all, the much-coveted 55th league title in the club’s history, stopping Celtic from an historic 10-in-a-row in the process - and has a chance to improve that statistic early.
In his Rangers reign. In fact, he has the chance to pick up a trophy in the shortest spell of any permanent Ibrox boss from taking over (Walter Smith was initially caretaker when he led Rangers to the 1991 title). Alex McLeish also lifted the League Cup with a semi-final win over Celtic and final win over Ayr United after succeeding Dick Advocaat. He did that in just 96 days but Beale will achieve the same feat in just 89 days, if successful on Sunday.
Raskin raring to go but is he ready?
It’s very early days but Nicolas Raskin certainly looks like a shrewd acquisition at a time when recruitment has been heavily criticised. The Belgian was arguably Rangers’ best player in the win over Livingston and his tenacity and desire to get forward from the middle of the park has been a real plus in the games he has played. But - and it’s a big but - should Michael Beale throw him into an Old Firm cup final? He is still just 21-years-old and adapting to his first move abroad so there is an element of risk to put him into the engine room at Hampden when it’s going to be such a crucial factor in the game with Celtic so strong in that department. Of course, Beale might have little choice with doubts in that department of Ryan Jack and John Lundstram. Todd Cantwell and Glen Kamara joined Raskin in the middle of the park in west Lothian but the same questions will be asked of him having also only arrived in January.
Celtic driving rivals mental
There is a psychological hurdle to overcome for this Rangers team right now when it comes to facing their old rivals. Kyogo’s late leveller at Ibrox in the Ne’erday derby clash at Ibrox was a sickener for the Light Blues. A lot was made of the fact that the champions weren’t at their best that day and still avoided defeat with the feeling that it was a missed opportunity for the Light Blues. However, Rangers hardly sparkled either and gifted Celtic an early opener with careless play. But the fact remains they didn’t win and haven’t beaten the Hoops in their last three meetings since the Scottish Cup semi-final win at Hampden last season. So instilling that belief that they can beat a team swatting all before them right now will be a challenge in itself.
Pitch perfect
The surface could be a factor at Hampden on Sunday. It was heavily criticised by all four semi-finalists after the last four ties but the SFA have got down to work on it since then with LED grow lights used to try and improve it. Celtic’s free-flowing passing style means Ange Postecoglou will be keen for it to be a slick surface but if it’s not at its best - although at leat it can’t be any worse than last month - then who copes best could be crucial.
Take the Roofe with the smooth
Michael Beale has made no secret of his admiration for Kemar Roofe and he was back amongst the goals in the win over Livingston at the weekend. The Jamaica international has been plagued by injuries during his time at Ibrox and after netting the goal to take Rangers into the final, went off injured against Aberdeen in the semi-final. But he’s back now and could be in contention for a start. But is he a central striking option ahead of Alfredo Morelos or preferred to Fashion Sakala on the right? That is of course if Beale reckons he’s ready for a start.
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