There is plenty for Michael Beale to reflect on in the aftermath of the Viaplay Cup final defeat to Celtic and that should include his own contradiction over team selection.
Prior to the game, there was much talk and speculation over the key trio of Malik Tillman, John Lundstram and Ryan Jack. Having all three available from the start seemed an unlikely prospect but it turned out that two started and the other made the bench.
The chosen midfield of Tillman, Lundstram and Glen Kamara raised eyebrows and not just an easy point in hindsight.
Nicolas Raskin’s omission caught many by surprise. The diminutive Belgian has made an impressive start to his time at Ibrox and appeared a cert to play in this big game. Wrong.
His enthusiasm and industry was sorely missed as Rangers were dominated by Celtic’s midfield consisting of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy. There was also no place in the starting line-up for Todd Cantwell as Beale overlooked the two ‘starters’ who were acquired in January’s transfer window.
The manager defended his choice with the following response:
“You’ve got two players (Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin) coming in who have played two and a half games each against opponents where you’ve got the ball. There was a little bit more in terms of what we needed to do off the ball defensively and also match legs.”
So soon after shaking off injury, Lundstram and Tillman definitely did not show the verve that the manager envisioned. Kamara was sorely lacking in terms of his contribution to the game.
On the second half flourish that brought Rangers a lifeline via Alfredo Morelos’ snapshot in a period of promise, the manager said:
“Yeah but that was because we threw more energy and intensity at the game.”
That is what was required from the start, not when it was too little, too late.
Michael Beale needs to learn quickly and rectify the mistakes that contributed to losing another final, missing a key opportunity for success and progression.
Why not pick Raskin alongside Lundstram and Kamara at the start to match up and keep it competitive in midfield .The wee man can graft but also create , then if Tillman was fit enough he could have come on .To play both him and Lundstram after injury was a need less gamble. Interesting too that Celtic signed Hatate in the January window last year and threw him into a game against us in which he ran riot and scored twice .Beale bottled it , pure and simple and he should stop trying to make up excuses for his own incompetence. In fact he should just stop talking at all , until he achieves something.
I imagined that Raskin would have been a definite starter, as did most. Half Time was the last chance to rectify it. Still a sore one.