Honest Michael Beale admits Rangers have ways to go to reach his standards after securing a pulsating 3-2 win over Hibs upon his Ibrox return.
The 42-year-old received a rapturous reception but the joy was quickly replaced by fear as Lee Johnson's mean led twice in the first half as Ryan Porteous and Kevin Nisbet struck between Fashion Sakala's leveller. But it ended alright on the night for Beale as Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos netted in the second half to secure three point upon their return after the World Cup shutdown.
And while Beale wants more, he was pleased with the battling qualities on display. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:"I thought we looked a bit nervous, a little bit anxious, Fashion Sakala actually got a really good goal, fantastic finish. Then from kick off we go and kick ourselves in the side. I am a little bit concerned then to see how the group will react. We had a nice chat at half time, organised a few things. They listened and I thought they went out play more like how I want them to play second half. Dominated the game, we equalled it up with the set-piece goal. Then we scored a fantastic goal, that is how I want to see us play, counter-pressing, combination play. Alfredo is delighted with that."
Beale admits it was. a time for calm heads as his side trailed at the interval and were met with a smattering of boos from the home support. And Beale admits he got the reaction he craved from his players in the final 45 minutes.
He added: "Just stop for a minute, I know the anxiety which has gone on the last few weeks, let's get the style right, let's play closer together.
"Don't overthink, let's play fast football, if we get the next goal the stadium will pick up and we'll go on and win the second half 2-0. I asked them to win the second half 2-0 and they did it.
"We know we have centre halves missing and the two boys playing there are doing their best for the team, we just have to improve in the duels and play closer together. And we did that."
And Beale was pulling no punches as he admitted his men have plenty to improve on as they aim to re-emerge as genuine title contenders in the second half of the season.
He added: "I know I've got a job on and, to be fair to the boys, they know they have got a job on to get back to the standards we had previously. You saw a little bit of everything. A little bit of anxiety, in the air and certainly on the pitch.
"It didn't look anything like we wanted it to. That just shows you a game like Leverkusen at the weekend, where there is not the points on it, everyone relaxes and plays.
"Tonight I saw a different type of performance. But in the second half they got the job done. We were worthy winners, outwith the two Hibs goals Allan (McGregor) has not had much to do."
