Michael Beale admits he has 'no problem' with his Rangers side being written off because that can give them a huge opportunity.
The Ibrox boss is gearing up for his third Old Firm derby in charge with January's 2-2 draw being followed up by a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the Viaplay Cup final to Celtic. Ange Postecoglou and the Hoops are unbeaten over their rivals this campaign and with Celtic Park looming on Saturday in a potential title decider.
Beale has already conceded it's Celtic's title to 'throw away' but rejected any notion that Rangers have been 'terrible'. The Englishman pointed to his record since his arrival and says the Light Blues form has been top tier, but that Celtic have matched it stride for stride.
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He said when asked about seeing his team written off: “Yeah, I do and it’s fine. It’s no problem. In this game, the home team is generally the favourites with the fans behind them and home advantage. But that’s fine. It gives you a big opportunity.
"Celtic won’t be going on the pitch thinking they’re favourites, they’ll be going out to win three points towards their objective.
“Our job is to make sure we get in the way of that and make sure we brings the points back. We can use that as part of us growing and moving forward.
“I wasn’t involved in those [previous derby hammerings]. The big thing is that I’m the manager of a team that’s lost five out of the last 106 league games - but yet ‘we’re terrible’. We lost none of the last 15 and we’ve won 10 league games in a row, so we’re a good team. But we’re playing against a good team.
“So it’s important that we execute what we’re good at, that we don’t overthink it, that we turn up and we play. I wasn’t involved in those games so the scars from those games are not sat with me right now.”
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