Michael Beale defends style of play ahead of Servette clash

Rangers lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock on the opening day of the Premiership season

Published 8th Aug 2023

Michael Beale defended his new-look Rangers side ahead of their European opener which follows a damaging start to their cinch Premiership campaign.

Six of the club's nine new signings made their debut at Kilmarnock on Saturday but the Light Blues boss came in for criticism following a shock 1-0 defeat which already leaves them three points behind champions Celtic.

However, ahead of the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round against Swiss side Servette at Ibrox on Wednesday night, Beale said: "There's loads of coaches after a game you don't win.

"That is the nature of the business, that is being a football coach. You try to blank that out. You believe in the work that you are doing.

"The team played the same way last season and played a lot of games, scoring lots of goals, and certainly away from home.

"When it is right it is right and when it is wrong, I get it, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I believe the way we play is fine, we just have to be a bit more decisive. The ball just needs to roll a little bit.

"We signed some good players, they come from good clubs. Let's get on with playing.

"The fans will get behind the team as long as the team play with the energy the fans want to see and that is what everyone inside is pushing for.

"Naturally we were hugely frustrated and disappointed by the weekend, it wasn't what any of us wanted. We can't dwell on it. We have a really important game tomorrow night, a different competition.

"We can deal with the league again on Saturday when we face Livingston but there is a lot of frustration in the air.

"I think the game can't come around quick enough for the players, the staff and the fans as well.

"It is an important game. We trust the fans will be right behind the team at Ibrox and it is important that we play well on the night.

"We know how important the fans are, and they know it also. They showed at the weekend what they bring to the club and it's important the players on the pitch match that - together that is what makes our club special."

Beale confirmed left-back Ridvan Yilmaz remains out while defender Ben Davies is also on the sidelines but he is not in the European squad.

If Rangers get past Servette, who beat Belgian side Genk on penalties in the previous qualifier after playing most of the evening with 10 men, they will face PSV Eindhoven or Sturm Graz.

Beale said: "The games at this level are always tough - we are not looking any further than this game right now and making sure we get a positive result.

"I watched Servette last week against Genk and the mentality they showed was outstanding.

"We know we have a tough opponent and we are not looking any further than this game.

"To qualify financially for the club will be very good, that's obvious and that is our aim right now. We can't look further than tomorrow night to make sure we get a positive result."

Foward Fashion Sakala said his goodbyes to the Gers fans on Monday night with an emotional social media post which noted the "end of an unforgettable chapter in my life".

Beale said: "Fashion Sakala is close to a move to Saudi - it has been a good offer for him and his family.

"He leaves with well wishes from everyone at Rangers, he will always be invited back but it was an offer he has to take."

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Rangers Legends

Ally McCoist

Ally McCoist is the clubs' record goal scorer, landing 355 goals in his 581 appearances. He played for the club from 1983-1998. McCoist also won two back-to-back European Golden Shoe's, in 1991/92 and 1992/93. While playing for Rangers, McCoist won 20 trophies.
The club legend managed the side from 2011-2015, where he won a League One title and a Third division title.

John Greig

Often called 'the greatest Ranger', Greig holds the record for the most appearances made for the side. He made 755 appearances between 1961-1978, where he also scored 120 goals and won 16 trophies.

Sandy Jardine

Right back Sandy Jardine made 674 appearances for Rangers and scored 77 goals. Jardine won two domestic trebles in 1975/76 and 1977/78. Jardine won 14 trophies at Rangers, including their only European trophy.

Davie Cooper

Davie Cooper made 540 appearances for Rangers where he scored 75 goals. He won 13 trophies while at the club.

Bill Struth

Bill Struth was the second manager of Rangers Football Club, and lead the club for 34 years between 1920 and 1954. Struth won a record 18 Scottish league championships, 10 Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.

Walter Smith

Smith managed Rangers from 1991-1998, where he won 13 major trophies in seven years, including seven league titles in succession. He returned to Rangers in January 2007, where we went on to win eight trophies during his second spell as Rangers manager and guided the team to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final. This would be Walter Smith's final managerial job as he retired in 2011.

Brain Laudrup

Brian Laudrup won three consecutive league titles for rangers between 1994 and 1998. He scored 44 goals in his 150 appearances.

Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne played for Rangers from 1995-1998, where he won two consecutive titles and two doubles. Gazza scored 39 goals in his 103 appearances.

Richard Gough

Richard Gough played for Rangers from 1987-1998 where he won 18 trophies, including nine consecutive Scottish Premier Division titles. The right back made 244 appearances and scored 37 goals.

Moses McNeil

Alongside William McBeath, Peter Campbell and his brother, Peter McNeil, Moses McNeil is one of the founding members of Rangers Football Club. In May 1872, Rangers played their first ever match against Callander F.C. at Glasgow Green's Flesher's Haugh, which resulted in a 0–0 draw.