Michael Beale last night urged his Rangers casualty concerns to fess up and tell him straight if they’re fit enough for Hampden.
The Ibrox boss made his appeal after revealing he’s been hit with yet another set-back ahead of Sunday’s Viaplay Cup final as he confirmed Kemar Roofe is also now a major doubt. Beale was already facing a midfield injury crisis as he sweats on key men Malik Tillman, John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield being back in time to face Celtic after the quartet sat out Gers’ weekend win at Livingston.
The Londoner hasn’t given up hope that a couple of those influential performers could pull through. But he’s only prepared to throw them in against Ange Postecoglou’s holders if he believes his crocked stars can go the distance. Asked if he was ready to take a gamble, the Rangers manager said: “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, whether they are I’ll have to make the choice on that.
“This is why you build a squad, we’re quite blessed with the level of player we can call beyond. How long will I give them? Like most things, a couple of days before the game I’ll get a take.
“Kemar Roofe had a slight issue as well after the weekend unfortunately so we won’t be too far away from the team that played last weekend. It wasn’t a dress rehearsal but there could be one or two more that declare themselves fit.
“I need to make sure they are because it’s important there’s not a bravado around it, that they genuinely are fit. We’re pleased where we’re at and we’re well prepared for the game.
“Is this a game you can get by on while only being 70 or 80 percent fit? Well the five subs and adrenaline helps a lot in this kind of game.
“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 moments there’s still no Robby McCrorie, no Filip Helander, no John Souttar, no Ridvan Yilmaz, no Arfield, no Lundstram, no Jack.
"Kemar Roofe has only just come back. Tom Lawrence is out. But the team is going alright.”
The news of Roofe’s latest knock will frustrate an Ibrox faithful who will admiring his ability to open up defences have grown used to seeing him on the treatment table. The former Leeds and Anderlecht had managed just three appearances before last month’s semi-final clash with Aberdeen.
He climbed off the bench to net the extra-time winner against the Dons but was then almost immediately hit with another lay-off after suffering a shoulder injury on the boggy Hampden pitch. He was back in action on Saturday as he put the seal on Gers’ 3-0 win at Livi but Beale is refusing to let the news he could be ruled out again dent his mood before the first cup final of his managerial career.
He said: “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 onboard 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. OK we’ll take that challenge on, but we’re doing OK.”
