Michael Beale vowed to go “hell for leather” from the first minute against Celtic as he sweats on the fitness for Alfredo Morelos for his biggest test yet as Rangers manager.
The Ibrox boss wasn’t satisfied with his side’s performance in their 3-0 win over Motherwell which continued his perfect start to life as Rangers boss. Morelos scored one and set up another for Malik Tillman with Connor Goldson also on the scoresheet but the Colombian limped off.
Beale will wait and see if the South American is available to face the Hoops on January 2 but says his side are ready to go for it against the champions. He insists he wouldn’t be happy to settle for a point as they trail the champions by nine points. The Englishman said: “The derby is a great leveller. They will come here, our fans will be buoyant after four straight wins so we should go in with confidence and need to go hell for leather from the first minute. We’d never be happy with a point in a derby.
“At this moment in time they’re playing at a higher level than us. Everyone can see that. They’re in a good rhythm but this time last year we were six points clear so things can turn around with good recruitment, time, good training and a feel-good factor and we need to get back to where we were and quickly but while in that process we have to keep winning games.”
On Morelos he added: “Alfredo had a bit of tightness. He’s been playing with a few aches and pains which is why he didn’t play against Ross County. He hasn’t played much this season so the previous two games took a lot out of him. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious but with Antonio and Kemar back in training it gives us more options.”
Beale couldn’t fault his players for effort against the Steelmen but said: “It was an interesting performance from the team. We won 3-0 and the positives are the three points and the clean sheet but we can be better than we were tonight. We’re a work in progress as a team which is the easiest way for me to put it. The players are aware as well. We’re not playing with a rhythm that we can or to our potential but while we’re finding our feet it’s important to continue to win games.
“They can play a lot better. It was very similar to what I’ve seen in the previous three games. We’ve managed to find the result we wanted without being free-flowing and maybe that’s been the story of the season so far.
“We have to spend a lot more time on the training pitch and developing our style. It was a bit of a flat performance and a flat crowd which is understandable because they react to what they see on the park.
“Coming in, the aim was to win the four games and go into the derby in a good place. We’ve done that but we need to improve which is clear for everyone to see. I won't stand there and say something that isn't the reality. But the boys are having a right go and it’s not a lack of effort - maybe a lack of cohesion.
“Borna Barisic was excellent coming back in and got a fantastic assist to show what we’ve been missing in the last three or four games in terms of balance. Adam Devine has done very well. James Tavernier has been playing with a knock and under the weather.”
READ NEXT
