Michael Beale revealed he has had his biggest group of Rangers players training since taking over at Ibrox despite admitting his devastation at Steven Davis being ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Striker Kemar Roofe is fit and available again for the first time in two months with Antonio Colak also in contention for the visit of Motherwell on Wednesday and Borna Barisic back after his World Cup exploits. Beale admits things are looking up but it’s tempered by the huge blow of Northern Ireland veteran being ruled out after he was injured in training. He says the 37-year-old will make the decision on whether he continues playing but that he already had him earmarked for a role when he hangs up his boots.
Beale said: “It’s a huge blow for Davis. I've been devastated ever since it happened. We thought it didn't look good but we had to allow the swelling to go down, have a scan and let Steven process the results. He will have an operation in early January and then we will sit and talk. He is someone you want to keep around the club. I knew from my time previously he is able to detach himself as a player and see the game. He is still as sharp as ever.
“Davis is very assured and calm. You can’t replace as player like him. We will have to replace his slot in the team in different ways. To play the number of international games he has, shows how fit he has stayed over the years. He has had Christmas to enjoy with his family. We have a plan for him moving forward anyway and helping him in his second career if he chose to go down that route. That was something already in discussion from the first meeting I had with the club. Having come in and seen him in the Bayer Leverkusen game and in the second half against Hibs he hadn't changed in the whole year I'd been away. So I was holding that conversation in my back pocket. Only Steven can make the decision when he hears exactly what the surgeon says and how he feels but knowing Steven I think he'll still want to play."
But on a more positive note Beale, looking to make it four wins on the spin after the 1-0 victory at Ross County, said: “Kemar Roofe and Antonio Colak have trained. They are obviously not 100 per cent as they haven’t returned to playing matches but they are both fit. John Souttar should be back by the end of January. He is doing great with his recovery.
“Allan McGregor is back fully fit and Borna Barisic is also back in training. This is the biggest group of players I have had training since my return. It is great to slowly see the group all returning.
“We have to be careful as everyone returns, Goldson and Davies we had to have just recovery sessions after the games. It will be great to have stronger competition at training and for places in matches.
“I’m seeing more in training coming into the games. Connor Goldson did amazing to get through both games on his return, as did Ben Davies. I just want the three points. I would like us to have more control and be stronger in our positioning and the things in the final third will click. As Colak, Roofe, Lawrence and Hagi return they will be key to our attack. The most important thing is to keep winning. Dingwall wasn’t a classic but we are delighted with the three points. I can see us improving in training, we looked great today.”
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