Michael Beale responds to Todd Cantwell and Tom Davies Rangers links

Your thoughts on the game?

I’m delighted with the performance. It’s always been a tough place to come but our goalie has had very little to do. In the first half, we had complete control but we weren’t showing much quality in the final third. We fixed that at half-time and went two-nil up quite quickly and I thought we managed the game really well. We maybe could have gone on and scored another one but the biggest thing for me was to win the game and get the clean sheet and onwards we go.

What was the half-time message?

Just the final pass, really. We got into good areas and our final pass was lousy if I’m honest. In the second half, I thought we improved. We had to pass and run more. It was clear that Dundee United were sitting deep with a lot of people behind the ball to play on the counter-attack. In the main, we kept them very, very quiet. As an away team you are coming here and they're off the back of two wins here and in good spirits after the World Cup break. But they didn’t really cause us any hassle over the whole game. Jon has come off and he’s kept another clean sheet and I am delighted for him personally as well.

Are you far from a 90-minute performance?

I think if you look at this game as an outsider I would say Rangers over the game dominated the whole game as the away team. We had 20 shots, 10 on target away from home. I don’t know how many shots on target we gave up. Over the game, we managed to score two goals. We knocked them down over the game. There is a lot that we’re learning again, the defensive shape and the organisation. We’ve shown that today. Sometimes in possession against a low block, we have to learn how to pass and run off the ball. All the things that we went through previously about team building. I thought today was a very, very good Rangers away performance. I’ve been here a few times and gone home disappointed. Today I can go home pretty happy.

How pleased are you with Fashion?

He was the most frustrated man in the building. Maybe not the most frustrated, but he was certainly leading to a lot of frustration for a lot of people in the building first half. That’s our Fashion. He has to keep smiling and keep going because he gets you, that goal today was exactly what I wanted. I asked him to come off that right side and run down the left side at times and disrupt. It is a heck of a finish. He sets it up for himself. And Malik, they were the two players I was getting into at half-time the most because I felt it was a bit static on the right. I wanted them to move more and free up Tavernier and they did that for both goals. We are not Real Madrid just yet, but we are moving in the right direction.   

Are you interested in Todd Cantwell or Ben Davies?

No names, but I think they are both good players to be fair. Todd was an excellent player when he was young and playing against my Liverpool Under 23s. I thought he would go on and have a fantastic career. He had that at the start and he is maybe just looking for a move to reignite it but I think he is a fantastic player at a good age. And Tom Davies used to kick my Liverpool Under 23s team all around the place. There’s a bit of John Lundstram about him. But again, two really good players. Not confirming anything with those two. But there are a lot of players we are speaking to at the moment. 

Can new players be in before the Aberdeen game?

I don’t know to be honest with you. I would like to think we will continue with the negotiations. Since I spoke to you the other day there are even more who have come to the table but there is nothing concrete just yet. 

How important is it to get more players in?

If Kemar Roofe stays fit that’s one I would like to add already inside and John Souttar will be available this month. You will see Ianis Hagi this month. They will feel like new signings. I know the fans and myself. We would like to have new faces in the building. I want to add competition. That’s really what I want to add. It will add competition. The training level has gone up every week since I have been here. I think one or two players maybe coming in from Premier League clubs or clubs around Europe with a real good profile that will certainly help us. I want to turn the dial-up in the building. 

What profile of player are you after?

I have to be excited about working with someone and the journey they are going on. I have to feel that they are someone who can come to Ibrox in front of 52,000 and really will grow and not shrink. That is the biggest question I have when I sit in front of a player – are they going to shrink at Ibrox or grow? We need growers and people who are going to come in in the next two or three years and help us win trophies and do well in Europe. That is the most important thing now. If I was to rush it and get it wrong, you’ll all condemn me. I hope you will be excited as I am about the two or three additions we are hoping to do.