Michael Beale has warned his Rangers players that they won’t keep getting away with gifting opponents a goal of a start after coming from behind yet again to win at Kilmarnock - as he admitted being in the dark over claims made about a bid for Swansea City's Morgan Whittaker
The Light Blues beat 10-man Killie 3-2 thanks to a Ryan Kent goal and a double from Alfredo Morelos but fell behind for the fifth time in the eight games since Beale took over in December. And while he was delighted with the result that maintains his unbeaten run in the hotseat, Beale admitted that the trend has to stop.
Beale said: “It was never going to be a beauty contest because I don’t think the surface allows for that. Kilmarnock started on the front foot and we started the complete opposite. We didn’t heed the warnings the staff had given players and we found ourselves 1-0 down, with a mountain to climb. Again. We can’t keep on going behind and coming back. It’s all right saying it shows a fantastic mentality but we can’t keep doing it.”
Asked if the players could put their finger on why they are starting matches slowly, he answered: “Not with any common sense, no, because there’s a bit of emotion in the air! They’re as frustrated as me.
“We’ve played nearly as many games as we’ve had training sessions. So it’s about remembering some old themes from maybe 18 months ago, rocking up and playing games.
“The results are good. We just need to tighten the screws in one or two areas, because we’re scoring goals. I thought we recovered well, dominated possession and scored a very good goal.
"We had to organise a bit at half-time, we did, got ourselves 3-1 in front and maybe could have scored a couple more. Then in the last five minutes, again, we give away a sloppy set play.
"It’s the first time they’ve been up there in the second half, the boy has a fantastic strike – and it becomes a bit less comfortable. I knew it was going to be a tough game on a tough surface, especially after 120 minutes at the weekend.
"I would have taken anything to get out of here with three points so I’m not going to sit here and moan. There were moments I was pleased with and other moments that we need to work on. That’s clear to everybody.”
Beale was surprised to learn that Swansea City boss Russell Martin had revealed that Rangers had made a bid for winger Whittaker, who had been on loan at Plymouth Argyle in the first half of the season, last week - insisting that this wasn’t his understanding of the situation. He said: “Did he really [Martin saying bid rejected]?
"I didn’t know we had made a bid but I will talk about the player. They have recalled him for a reason.
"I would say that he was one of the better if not the best player in League One in the first half of the season and unless they have recalled him to play him, they must have recalled him to move him to a higher level. I think he is a good player but there is nothing more than that. And that is not what I have been told in-house.”
