Sky Sports pundit slams Rangers duo as Michael Beale gamble didn’t pay off v Celtic
Mark Wilson has insisted that Michael Beale made a tactical mistake by starting with Rangers duo John Lundstram and Malik Tillman against Celtic on Sunday (26 February).
The Sky Sports pundit slammed the duo by saying they looked a “bit leggy” as the Bears lost 2-1 in the Viaplay Cup final at Hampden Park.
Both Lundstram and Tillman were struggling for fitness ahead of the game, and Wilson was “surprised” that Beale took a big “gamble” and didn’t trust new boys Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell.
“I was certainly surprised Raskin and Cantwell weren’t in from the start. They have both looked good since they have come to the club,” said Wilson to Sky Sports, as relayed by Scottish Daily Express (27 February).
“The talk all week was of injuries to Tillman, Lundstram and Jack and I just thought it was a gamble that didn’t pay off. I thought the game was won in the midfield area with Mooy, Hatate and McGregor outstanding and both Lundstram and Tillman looking a bit leggy.
“He made the changes, but by that time it was too late. It was a big call. The big difference is Ange Postecoglou shows faith in his signings and Michael Beale didn’t on the big stage.”
Selection
It is fair to criticise Beale for opting to start with both Tillman and Lundstram who were probably not fully fit for this game.
Beale probably needed players with more experience for this game, and hence he opted for Lundstram. Raskin has only played a few games, and Beale probably wasn’t sure how he would handle the pressure, despite his quality.
However, Rangers looked completely flat in the first half and likewise in the early part of the second half. They only sprang to life after Alfredo Morelos pulled one back, following the introductions of Raskin and Cantwell.
The Celtic trio of Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Aaron Mooy controlled the midfield better, and in retrospection, it can be said that Beale made a big mistake by dropping Raskin.
Beale has done an impressive job so far, but the defeat is a stark reminder that the Gers still have got a long way to go to close the gap with Celtic.
Interestingly, Beale made it clear that he signed players like Raskin and Cantwell to improve the first team, and yet both the players were axed from the starting line-up for this massive game!
In other Rangers news, the club have pulled of a major transfer coup with a deal already signed for a player who was interesting two English giants.