All of a Rangers perspective sorely crave the return of the league title and the prospect of a title race but Michael Beale is right to deliver a reality check in terms of this season.
Of course, the team should be striving for further improvements as well as to keep the unbeaten run going under Beale. There is plenty of scope for progress and a small chance of things getting very interesting beyond the split.
However, until such a time that Celtic drop a few points the gap cannot be reduced. With that in mind, the importance of the upcoming Viaplay Cup final cannot be understated. A Rangers victory would provide further confidence and belief with the potential opposite effect at Parkhead, giving them something to think about.
When asked if it’s realistic for the Premiership trophy to come back to Ibrox, Beale responded:
“If you look at probability, it’s low because the games are running out and there is only so many games left. We are in very good form and Celtic are also in very good form but their form has run longer than ours so you’d say it is outstanding form. What I would say is that momentum changes things in football.”
“All we can do is keep doing our job and hope the momentum changes. If it doesn’t we still have to win games for Rangers and build our team stronger for the cup competitions and what’s to come.”
Focus
Beale has overseen an unbeaten run across 13 games with the only league points dropped (from 10 Premiership fixtures) coming in the New Year Old Firm draw. He knows the job he has to do, getting the players on board to deliver his vision. He is right to insist that there is still plenty to play for this season and beyond, especially with the integration of two recent signings as well as the other Summer arrivals who the manager has barely got to work with, or not yet in the case of Tom Lawrence, John Souttar and Ridvan Yilmaz.
His firm response, a reality check on league matters is most welcome but it does not distract from the important matters in hand within Rangers’ control right now.
🎙️ Part Two | Michael Beale spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s match against Livingston. pic.twitter.com/JUuePdlJIN
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) February 16, 2023