Michael Beale has told Rangers fans to lay off Ibrox sporting director Ross Wilson.
Along with club MD, Stewart Robertson, he was targeted again at Fir Park yesterday by away fans before their side’s 4-2 win over Motherwell. Supporters want the pair out of the club and held up banners which read: ’Time for Change’.
But Beale leapt to the defence of Wilson who he works closely with every day. And he’s told the unhappy section of Gers’ fanbase that he’ll be a key figure this summer as he reshapes his squad. Beale understands why supporters are frustrated at this season’s lack of a title challenge to Celtic before he arrived. But after racking up his 17th win out of 19 since he was appointed as boss, he insists his players are doing everything they can to get them onside. After goals from James Tavernier, Fashion Sakala, Todd Cantwell and Malik Tillman earned them three points, Beale said: “I’ve always worked well with Ross.
“He came in when I was previously at the club and he was influential in bringing me back. We work fantastically well together every day. He’s a 24/7 football person, similar to myself, so we have the same energy. We’re off working and looking at players. The two of us control the atmosphere in the training ground. We’re the two main figures there.
“I understand the fans' frustration but they don’t know everything that goes on and the work that goes on at the club.bI understand they pay their money and pack out every away ground at home and in Europe. They have a right to - in the right way - put across their opinion. But since I came back the form of the team has been really good.
“Before, they could be disgruntled. But now we’re looking forward and moving forward. I’d prefer it if we were on the same page. The work going on behind the scenes towards next season is exciting. It can’t all be revealed now. But I hope we can make sure we’re together moving forward.
“Ross’ sole job isn’t recruitment, it’s a number of people. My job is to win games of football and make the fans happy. That’s what I’m trying to do with the players, that’s my sole focus. We’re trying to make the fans happy. I understand their frustrations but I think we’re much stronger when we’re all together. Hopefully sooner rather than later, that will come back in line because it’s important. There are enough people outside of Rangers who don’t want us to do well so let’s make sure we’re together.”
Rangers’ domestic form has been excellent under Beale apart from their League Cup Final defeat to Celtic at Hampden. He’s adamant that any discord off the pitch isn’t affecting his players. He said: “It’s not something that has made its way into the changing room. We know the campaign has been disappointing at times but all we can do is keep winning the next game and win it well.
“We’re here to service the fans and win things. When we fall short, they’ll point fingers and share opinions. That’s fine, we’ll take it on board. But all we can do is keep winning. It’s not something that has impacted the group because we’re winning. But it was so visual today so it’s there for everyone to see.”
Despite going behind to ‘Well and being pegged back at 2-2, Rangers got the job done in Lanarkshire. Beale was delighted with their display but says they should have racked up even more goals. He said: “We responded well to going behind and my only frustration is that we should have scored more. We’re scoring three or four goals away from home in games and that’s not an easy thing to do.
“We were capable of getting two or three more today. If we were a wee bit more ruthless that could have happened. I thought it was a strong performance. I was really happy with it but we should have won by one or two more. It’s not ideal going behind in games but it shows faith and trust in the way we play. We ground Motherwell down today. If you believe in the way you’re playing you know chances will come.”
Tavernier was terrific for Rangers, scoring an equaliser then assisting Sakala for his goal. The skipper is now on 98 goals in his Rangers career and Beale says he could have hit the ton at Fir Park. The manager also praised new boy Cantwell who notched his first goal for the club to put them 3-2 ahead. Beale said: “Todd is a growing influence on the team.
“He’s playing really well and being used in a slightly different way to what people might have thought he would be. He got a nice assist last week and he scored today so I’m delighted for him. It’s been a really bright start to his Rangers career but he knows there’s more to come. That’s what’s really exciting about Todd. I had a laugh and joke with James because he should have had the 100 today. His contribution is fantastic. We were 1-0 down away from home and he scored a brilliant free-kick. Then in the second half he puts in a fantastic cross for Fashion. His numbers are incredible and it’s been like that ever since I’ve known James.”
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