Rangers boss Michael Beale believes the chances of catching Celtic in the Scottish Premiership are low this season. Rangers have gone undefeated in 13 games under Beale, with their sole defeat coming in a 2-2 draw with Celtic in January. Despite that outstanding run of success, they have been unable to reduce the nine-point deficit to Ange Postecoglou’s side, who are currently unbeaten in 18 league games.
“If you look at the probability, it is low because the games are running out and there are only a limited number of games left,” Rangers boss Michael Beale said about catching Celtic this season. “We’re in great shape. Celtic are in excellent form, and their run has been longer than ours, so you could call it great form. What I would say is that in football, momentum can change things, so all we have to do is keep doing our job and hope the momentum shifts. If it doesn’t, we still have to win games for Rangers and strengthen our team for the upcoming cup events. We can’t take our foot off the gas, which is why I was irritated by the weekend’s performance.”
When he looks ahead to next season, Beale believes his present group is too large. A number of Rangers players, including Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent, have their contracts expire in the summer, and the manager hopes to start the new season with a more streamlined playing staff.
“If you have ten outfielders, you should have another ten, so two for each position,” he added. “You’d need an extra striker and goaltender, for a total of three goalies and three number nines. That certainly provides you a ballpark figure. We’ve obviously had one or two players go down with injuries, so you’re carrying a slightly higher number. With the contract issue and just the window opening, whether you’re in contract or out, the summer offers me the opportunity to possibly bring that to where I want it. I believe we have a large squad, but obviously not everyone has been fit, so we’ve only been running with 18.”
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