Michael Beale admits he’s been left cursing his “rough luck” in his three Old Firm games in charge so far as he set his sights on a first victory over Celtic at the fourth attempt in next week’s huge Scottish Cup semi-final showdown at Hampden.
And the Ibrox boss revealed he has ramped up his summer recruitment drive despite the departure of Ross Wilson to Nottingham Forest by meeting potential signings in recent days as he looks to assemble a squad capable of mounting a serious challenge to Ange Postecoglou’s side next season.
But in the short term, Beale is looking for a victory on April 30 as Rangers look to retain the Scottish Cup and smash their rivals’ Treble bid. The Londoner told talkSPORT: “The semi-final is huge. These games are always massive and a privilege to be involved in. We’ve had rough luck a little bit in the games so far. The one at Ibrox when I first came in we should have held on in that game. We know they’re a good side and dangerous but in terms of the games so far we’ve had opportunities in all three of them and certainly have to be at our best next week and it’s a huge game and huge opportunity.
“Celtic are in excellent form at this moment in time and we’ve tried to chase them as much as we can. Since I arrived in November our league form has been extremely strong and I’ve been pleased with the boys and having been at the club for a long time over the last five years, the form we’re in now hasn’t always been normal. We have found it difficult at times going to away grounds so at the moment the boys are doing well.”
Beale insists the recruitment plans won’t be derailed by Wilson’s departure as he mapped out the summer plans. He said: “The group has given given me what they can and we're probably four or five players from being where I want us to be. That's nothing against the players that are playing just now, it will just make us stronger. Ross Wilson left last week but a lot of the players have been in place since I came in November so we’ve been constantly talking about players every day. We were so close in terms of here at the training ground. Ross has moved on and I’m leading that. I’ve been speaking to players the last couple of days and it’s constantly ongoing in the background.
“In the short period that might suit me better than someone coming in during the work we’re already doing. I’ve had really good support from John Park and Mervyn Day. I feel I have real good support from the recruitment staff and a lot of the work has been done.
“I’m quite fussy. I like to meet players and see them face to face. That’s how I did it with Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell. It wasn’t just the business men, if you like. I like to see these boys and sit in front of them. I’ve been away doing that in the last few weeks. Every day off and moment in the schedule that allows I’ve been travelling to meet people along with Ross and I’ll continue to do that on my own.”
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