Ibrox legend Arthur Numan has told Michael Beale to go on red alert against Aberdeen on Sunday.
He warned that complacency at Hampden risks a repeat of last season’s Hibs disaster when Rangers were caught cold by the Edinburgh side and dumped out in the Viaplay Cup semi-final. Beale’s men have reached the same stage of this year’s competition but Dutch ace Numan is worried Gers could suffer another upset if they are not up for this weekend’s Dons duel.
He said: “Sunday afternoon is the next step on an important journey and it offers the club an excellent chance of reaching another major final. There is no reason why we shouldn’t win this game and I think we will make it. However, I will not take anything for granted as I remember we lost to Hibs at the same stage last season. The manager must not allow any form of complacency to set in this week in the build-up to the game. We need to earn the right to make it to this final.”
Numan is close friends with former Ibrox boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst but he’s been impressed by the man who replaced his former Light Blues and Holland team-mate. Praising the start made by Beale since he moved into the Rangers manager’s office last month, he said: “Michael’s first few weeks in charge have offered plenty of encouragement.
“We have played six games in the Premiership and won five of them. We drew the other at home to Celtic. Yes, there is a long way to go, but the signs are good.”
Beale will be hoping to continue that good start by guiding his side through to what would be the first final of his fledgling managerial career. Steven Gerrard’s former sidekick had to settle for a share of the spoils last week when his maiden Old Firm clash ended in a 2-2 draw with Ange Postecoglou’s side.
But Numan is keeping fingers crossed his old team can take care of Aberdeen this weekend and set up another crack for Beale at the Parkhead outfit. Writing in his 5Stars column, the former Gers hero said: “We have won this trophy 27 times but we haven’t lifted it since 2011 when we defeated Celtic 2-1 in the final.
“The wonderful Walter Smith was the manager then and we all want Michael to be the next gaffer to lead us to this silverware. And may it be the first of many trophies we win under him. We all want the 12-year wait to come to an end and see James Tavernier lifting the trophy next month at Hampden Park.
“Celtic play Kilmarnock in the other semi-final and it doesn’t bother me in the slightest who wins that one. But it would be sweeter to win this trophy by beating Ange Postecoglou’s men in the final.”
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