Michael Beale insists Rangers’ defeat to Aberdeen will act as a jolt for their Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden as he was left to rue missed chances and a ’40 yard miskick’ by Liam Scales for the home side’s opener.
The visitors passed up some gilt-edged chances with Alfredo Morelos seeing Leighton Clarkson clear one off the line and Kelle Roos denying Fashion Sakala when he was one-on-one with the Dons keeper. Beale’s men dominated for large spells but still went down 2-0, however, he is adamant there will be no hangover against the Hoops at Hampden.
Beale said: “Next week will be a completely different game so there won’t be too much of a hangover. If anything it will be a bit of a jolt and reality to one or two. You talk before the game about how ruthless you have to be and if we’re going to win things and compete then we have to be more decisive.
“We were extremely comfortable in the game and playing well. The boy makes a big save on the line from Alfredo. Fashion goes clean through, one on on with the keeper and we miss and then hit the post and Nico had a chance where he should have squared it for a simple finish for Malik.
“Straight away in the second half we concede a freak goal, he miskicked it by 40 yards and it’s gone in but that happens, especially here with the wind and the way it is. You know in that moment you have to keep your composure and keep playing. One or two of our players might have got caught up with the atmosphere.
“The crowd are up and Aberdeen pressed down. There were a lot of stoppages and it was a hard game to referee. There was a foul in the build up to the second goal but we have to play to the whistle and defend the back post better.
“After that we had two massive chances with James and Rabbi and a couple fo half chances. We weren’t good enough in both boxes. We played some good football that will get lost in the game. It was a clash of styles and for a long time we imposed ours on Aberdeen but when you are the away team and on top you have to take your chances and if you don’t you’ll get beat.
“It’s not as damaging right now as it would have been another time in the season. The damage in our season was done before today but it’s a lesson for coming back next season as Aberdeen are back to the Aberdeen of old. We competed really well in the game and it was a horrible last 20, 25 minutes so it leaves a horrible feeling. I don’t want to take anything away from them but when you come to Pittodrie and create four chances like we did in the first half then you have to take them.”
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