Michael Beale has hit back at the 'cheap' shots aimed at the mentality of his Rangers side as he backed his team to spring an Old Firm surprise.
The new Ibrox gaffer will get his first taste of derby action as a boss when Gers welcome Ange Postecoglou’s side for the New Year's showdown at Ibrox on Monday. Gers must find a way of stopping the rampant Premiership leaders if they’re to retain any hope of turning the tables on their title rivals.
But Beale has no concerns about the mental strength of his team as he pointed to the bottle shown by the team on last season’s march to Seville. The Londoner - who hopes to have Alfredo Morelos available to lead his attack - said: “It’s another opportunity for the team to demonstrate their mentality, to show where we are.
“I think at times last season, in Europe and coming back to play in domestic games in-between semi-finals, the sudden passing of a member of staff (Jimmy Bell) as well. I don’t know where the questions on mentality are with this group?
“I think that’s cheap, I think it’s poor to question the mentality of a group that’s shown last season – just five or six months ago – an unbelievable mentality.
“To win against the odds when things were happening, when they weren’t able to train because of where they were, was unbelievable. I don’t want to go over old things, but for me the mentality of this group – even since I’ve been in – has been excellent.”
But Beale admits results against their rivals have to improve. The Londoner was part of Steven Gerrard’s backroom team which won six out of seven derbies before the former England legend was lured south by Aston Villa.
He’s now back in charge of a squad that’s beaten Celtic just once in their last five attempts: “The challenge is to try and get the upper hand again in the Old Firm. In one of the biggest derbies in the world, no one likes to be second.
“We obviously lost the first Old Firm this season and we’re behind in points against other teams in the league when we’ve dropped sloppy points at times, which have been very costly to us.
“So it’s important we start moving in the right direction as soon as possible. And that was probably yesterday, not tomorrow, in terms of moving forward.”
But Beale warned against writing off his side’s chances, saying: “I’m still hugely confident. It’s Rangers at Ibrox against anybody. Last year at times there was adversity in terms of domestic results but in Europe they were able to perform extremely well.
“In a one-off game, I think they know they’re in a match. We certainly know we’re in a match and I’m looking forward to it.
“We’ll meet them at the half-way line, we’ll look at them head on and we’ll go for the three points. We won’t be taking a step backwards.”
Morelos limped off against Motherwell on Wednesday with a tight hamstring but Beale is confident the Colombian will be fit for duty.
He said: “Alfredo came in yesterday and was feeling better. As far as I can see at this moment in time he will be available.
“Antonio Colak will be available as well. Kemar Roofe will be touch and go because he’s done slightly less. He’ll definitely be available if Alfredo isn’t. It’s one of those situations.
“I think we’ve used 20 players in the four league games. I’ve tried to get the group to where we are now.
“If Alfredo comes through then we’ve probably played our cards quite well in terms of getting everyone a little bit fitter and stronger than they were a month ago.”
READ NEXT
