Michael Beale admits he understood the fury from the Rangers supporters as Ibrox turned toxic in the aftermath of Old Firm defeat to Celtic.
Beale saw his side fall four points adrift in the Premiership title race as they lost their second domestic fixture just days after the humbling Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
A deafening chorus of boos reverberated around Ibrox at the full-time whistle before the players were heckled from the stands during an ill-advised lap of honour.
It was to prove another hugely disappointing afternoon for Rangers and the reaction from the supporters told its own story as Brendan Rodgers celebrated with his side.
“Well listen, I understand it when the results have been the last two,” Beale said when asked about the reaction from the Ibrox crowd. “I understand the frustration with the fans. It is with the shirt.
“It is not just at Rangers, it is anywhere. It is a derby, a game where there is a lot of emotion involved and the fans expect their team to get a result and we didn’t.
“That is par for the course. In terms of pressure, you are always under pressure in this job. You are only ever a couple of results not going your way to feel that.
“The most pressure is the one we put on ourselves and we have fallen short of that today because I expected and wanted us to get a result.
“Over the course of the 90 minutes I think the result is harsh on us but in terms of these games they are only about the result.”
Beale bolstered his squad with the arrival of nine players over the summer window but has seen his side fail to fire in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Much of the anger from the stands was vented in his direction as a first half effort from Kyogo Furuhashi proved the difference on an afternoon where Rangers had a goal ruled out for offside and another chopped off for controversial foul in the build-up.
And, when asked if he could win the fans back, Beale said: “Listen, I think the team can win the fans back by winning games of football and that is what they have to do.”
Rangers will begin that process with a trip to St Johnstone in a fortnight as they attempt to build some momentum in the Premiership title race and Europa League.
The defeat to Celtic raised more questions about Beale’s record in big matches and this was a costly defeat on the back of the loss at Parkhead and two Hampden reverses last term.
“The fans are going to be disappointed when the team lose,” Beale said. “I get it. It’s the life of a football manager.
“I felt today there were enough moments in the game for us. If I’m looking at it as a coach did we create enough moments to score goals? We did, but we didn’t.
“Ultimately that buck stops with me. The fans are only going to be happy when we are winning games of football, I get that.
“Certainly in this game. They are not going to value performance and efforts it’s the result that is important.
“Coming into the game I’ve got to be honest the result was hugely important to me as well, and the players. We are all on the same page on that.
“We are all disappointed that we haven’t got a result in another big game and we know that has to improve.”
Rangers now face a fight to haul themselves back into the title race after following up their defeat to Kilmarnock on the opening day with an Old Firm loss at Ibrox.
Beale invested heavily to transform his squad ahead of the new campaign and still has faith in those that he brought on board for his first full term in the dugout.
“I do,” Beale said when asked if he felt he had a squad capable of winning the Premiership. “But words are not worth anything if the team doesn’t go and win the big games.
“It’s the fourth game of the season and we are not where we want to be. There will be ups and downs in the season but it is clear we need to go on a run of performances and wins right now.”
