Michael Beale admits Rangers’ title hopes are ‘low’ and praises Celtic’s ‘outstanding’ form
Rangers boss Michael Beale has admitted the possibility of catching Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title are “low” and praises their Old Firm rival’s form.
The Light Blues are unbeaten, with a draw against the Hoops and 12 wins, in 13 matches since Beale replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst in November but are still nine points behind their pace-setting Old Firm rivals.
There still remains 13 games left of the campaign to go and two Old Firm derbies to come and ahead of their tie with Livingston this weekend, Beale conceded it will be difficult to catch the Hoops with games running out.
He said [via BBC Sport, 16 February]: “If you looked at probability, the probability is low because the games are running out.
“I think we are in very, very good form, so Celtic are also therefore in very, very good form and their form has run longer than ours. So you would say it is outstanding form.
“What I would say is momentum can change things in football, and all we have to 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 is to come.”
Incredibly difficult
The Gers have been absolutely terrific since Beale took over from Van Bronckhurst in November, winning 12 of their 13 games. Beale remains unbeaten since then and has introduced the kind of football that any title challengers would be proud of.
Despite all that, their Old Firm rivals have simply reached another level under Ange Postecoglu and it will certainly be incredibly difficult to catch them, but Beale is correct the momentum can change.
Nine points are still possible to make up which means the Gers simply cannot give up hope of a potential Celtic slip-up no matter how unlikely it seems. What kind of side with Rangers be if they give up now?
It’s clear, the Gers fans are enjoying the football being played under Beale and the way in which to keep them engaged and joyous is by winning games.
There still remains the small matter of the ViaPlay Cup final to come which Beale could use as a springboard in propelling the Gers to become proper challengers in the season to come. Some crucial weeks ahead for Rangers.
In other Rangers news, one Bears star took to social media to mock criticism from a Sky Sports pundit