Michael Beale got his first Old Firm win as a manager - and says it can breathe new life into Rangers for next season.
The Ibrox gaffer watched his side hammer Celtic 3-0 in the final derby of the campaign. Goals from Todd Cantwell, John Souttar and Fashion Sakala ensured he didn’t go five games against their city rivals without a victory. And afterwards, Beale says it can give their suffering supporters some new-found optimism ahead of a summer squad revamp.
The manager said: “I was here in a different period when I was involved in these games. So I’m not new to the fixture. But I was two minutes away from winning one in January and you think the next one will come quickly. This gives us some oxygen going into the summer and the exciting period we have now of recruiting some new players. But the current group is capable of big performances and they put in a decent one today
"When we analyse the games we’ve had against Celtic this season, we have had chances and not taken them. But today we got a two goal lead and it was their game to chase.
“I don’t want to talk about the work we’ve got to do or how far it is (between the sides). It’s just three points. So let’s take it. It gives the fans oxygen and breathing space too, looking forward to the summer.
“Was it a warning message to Celtic? No, I don’t think they need that. They will try and improve and we will too. We’re the team with the most to improve on aren’t we?
“It’s just three points - but over the course of the season I think we deserved today. The atmosphere created by the fans in the first 15 minutes was incredible.
“It gave energy to the team and I wanted the team to play with energy. We startled the game really well. We took a chance we’ve missed in other big games this season with a great strike from Todd. It’s a nice feeling for the players and the fans going home.”
Cantwell produced a man of the match display and was given a standing ovation by the Ibrox crowd when he was subbed off late on. Beale was full of praise for the former Norwich City midfielder who arrived in January, as well as fellow new recruit Nico Raskin who was superb.
He said: “You can see Toddy is really highly motivated. He’s loving his time here and enjoying his team-mates and the staff.
“It’s still early in his journey but he’s doing really well and I couldn’t be happier with him. That goes for the general attitude of the boys, through a difficult period, but Todd epitomises that and I thought he was excellent.
“Raskin is still only 21. It’s the first time he’s moved out of Belgium and football has come at him fast. He’s played in a lot of games, a lot of big games, and I think he’s a fine young player.
“He’s got a little bit of everything. He’s got a bit of tenacity to win his duels, he can pass and is just a really good football player we’ve got there. It was a big performance for Ridvan Yilmaz as well and John Souttar as well. Some of those guys have had tough seasons.”
Another top performer for Gers against the Hoops was keeper Robby McCrorie. He was given the nod ahead of veteran Allan McGregor and kept his fourth clean sheet in a row as a Rangers goalkeeper. McCrorie has now played in two Old Firm games, won them both and has yet to concede.
Beale is keen to bring experienced Crystal Palace stopper Jack Butland in this summer - but says McCrorie can challenge for the number one spot next term. He said: “Yeah, cos I think Robby will only get better with time. He’s 100 percent in my thinking for next season.
“We are going to lose one goalkeeper because he is out of contract (McGregor). And we are not in the job of signing bad ones. We’ve had Allan and Jon McLaughlin, two Scottish internationals, and Robby has been in the group.
“He has been injured for four of the six months I’ve been here but he always knew he would get an opportunity. All he can do is keep playing as he did today.
“That’s four clean sheets on the bounce as a Rangers first-team keeper so that’s not a bad record to keep. He has set a high standard for himself.”
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