Alex McLeish has told Michael Beale that Scottish Cup glory is an “imperative” for Rangers this season.
The Ibrox side’s last realistic shot at winning a trophy will be on the line next month when they take on Ange Postecoglou’s treble-chasing Celtic in the Hampden semi-final. Defeat would consign the Light Blues to a barren campaign while their bitter rivals take another huge step towards securing a fifth domestic clean sweep in the last seven years.
That’s why McLeish believes this year’s Scottish Cup has taken on added significance - and he warned Beale defeat is a non-negotiable He said: “That’s what we have got left and it’s imperative. I know a few of my pals over the last few years have said they don’t bother with the cups, they just want to win the league. I get that, but this Scottish Cup is helluva important. They always have been in my eyes. It would be a real boost for the club if Michael can go on and lift it.”
McLeish won a cup double in his first season in charge before going one better in his second. He also led Gers to one of their most cherished title wins in 2005 when they recovered a seven-point deficit to snatch the championship from Celtic on Helicopter Sunday.
But with Beale’s team even worse off nine points adrift, he admits he’s not holding out much hope for a repeat. He said: “The league is going to be very difficult at this stage of the season, given the points deficit.
“It kind of reminded me of my own time at the club. When I first took over the league was pretty much gone.
“We had a couple of cups to win and we managed to do that. For this group of players there is a huge game ahead in the Scottish Cup.”
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