Michael Beale can be very pleased with his yield so far in his time as Rangers manager.
Yet to taste defeat, only a draw against Celtic in the New Year encounter has prevented a 100% record. Whatever way you look at it, that’s an impressive feat.
The results speak for themselves whilst the performances have been hit and miss. The Englishman has steered the squad in a positive, productive direction but how much more would he have got from his group with a full quota available?
Now into his fourth month as boss at Ibrox with his first final coming on Sunday, Beale still has a significant injury list to contend with, preventing him from being able to utilise the full talent that should be at his disposal.
In the preview press conference ahead of the Hampden showdown, Beale touched on the absence of eight key first team players whilst maintaining a positive, pragmatic tone:
“We’re pleased where we’re at and we’re well prepared for the game. Five subs and adrenaline helps a lot. 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 moment there’s still no Robby McCrorie, no (Filip) Helander, no (John) Souttar, no Ridvan (Yilmaz), no Arfield, no Lundstram, no Jack. Kemar has only just come back. Tom Lawrence is out. But the team is going alright.”
“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.”
No excuses
McCrorie’s absence has had an impact on the keeper rotation, he would also have had his chance in recent weeks. The two central defenders would have added to competition, driving performance levels upward. Ridvan was a big money signing, deprived to Beale thus far, the same for the talented Lawrence.
The injuries to Lundstram, Jack and Arfield are more like wear and tear but still very inconvenient, given thelonger term issues above.
Despite all that, there is no hiding place for the manager and his men come Sunday. The demand and expectation is that they rise to the occasion to overcome Celtic, it’s as simple as that.
The first silverware of the season as well as the chance to land a significant blow on the Parkhead side is on the line. It could also act as a catalyst for gains to follow in the Premiership, but that remains to be seen.
The outcome of the game will tell us even more about where the squad is under Beale’s leadership at present, can they seize the opportunity?