MICHAEL Beale has told the Rangers players who are fighting to be fit for the Viaplay Cup final against Celtic on Sunday to be honest with him about their physical condition and to guard against “bravado”.
Beale revealed yesterday that forward Kemar Roofe, who scored an extra-time winner in the semi-final against Aberdeen last month, is a doubt for the match at Hampden after suffering an injury in the victory over Livingston at Almondvale on Saturday.
He is also unsure if he will be able to field Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack, John Lundstram and Malik Tillman in the eagerly-anticipated meeting with the Parkhead club.
The Englishman, who is bidding to lift his first trophy as a manager less than three months after being appointed at Ibrox, is wary of any of his charges declaring themselves fit when they are not ready to return to action.
“Kemar Roofe had a slight issue after the weekend unfortunately so we won’t be too far away from the team that played last weekend,” he said.
“It wasn’t a dress rehearsal, but there could be one or two more that declare themselves fit. But I need to make sure they are because it’s important there’s not a bravado around it, that they genuinely are fit.”
“If we get one or two additions back, that will be a bonus, but I’m not counting on it right now. Will I take a risk on a player? Only if I think they can get through it.
“We live in a fantasy world if we think players lace their boots up every week in fantastic physical condition. It’s a final against a big rival. I am 100 percent sure one or two will declare themselves fit around Friday or Saturday. I’ll have to make the choice on whether they are.”
Beale added: “We’re pleased where we’re at and we’re well prepared for the game. Five subs and adrenaline helps a lot. But that’s why you build a squad. This season out squad has been pulled apart by injuries.
“If I go through it, at the moment there’s still no Robby McCrorie, no (Filip) Helander, no (John) Souttar, no Ridvan (Yilmaz), no Arfield, no Lundstram, no Jack. Kemar has only just come back. Tom Lawrence is out. But the team is going alright.
“You learn to just take a deep breath and keep working. You can’t be missing the players not there, you have to work with the ones in front of you.
“I’m really pleased with how they’re doing at the moment. It’s important they continue take on board the information, but play with the same energy and commitment.
“If I look at our last two away games, away to Hearts and Livingston, to score six goals and concede none and have people still wanting more from us. Okay, we’ll take that challenge on. But we’re doing okay.”
Michael Beale was promoting Viaplay’s exclusively live coverage of the Viaplay Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic on Sunday from 2pm. Viaplay is available to stream from viaplay.com or via your TV provider on Sky, Virgin TV and Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription.
