Every word Michael Beale said to the BBC after the game.

You said the players would have to be at their very best tonight?

It was a really, really strong performance, first half in particular. In the second half we had big chances to go and score more. Zander Clark made a couple of really big saves. Overall I'm delighted. They are riding high here and are on really good form. We spoke about that before the game. We had to be at our best. Defensively we were good. The amount of regains we had from pressing around the pitch was impressive. I look at the desire to steal the ball back and break from there. I thought we were fantastic. It started from the front and the rest of the team backed them up really well. It was nice to see Alfredo get the goals too.

Were you surprised by how aggressive Hearts set up?

I was surprised. It was very aggressive in terms of personnel. I thought it made for a good game. It was one of those matches where the team that scored first might get the confidence to go on. We started the game ever so well and we were tactically good in the game. We are nowhere near where we want to be ultimately, but tonight was a step in the right direction.

What were your thoughts on the VAR decisions, including the yellow card for Ryan Kent for diving?

I thought they were fair. There was one with Fashion Sakala where the angle on the touchline made it look like he might have been onside but it wasn't. They are getting a better view than me so I will go with them on it and praise them for getting decisions right. If Ryan has taken a tumble or is expecting contact that hasn't come then it's right he's received a yellow card. It's not something you can target at Ryan over four years at Rangers so let's not go over the top about it. He's gone into the box and he's felt there's contact. They have deemed not. No drama and we move on.

Can you make the Tillman deal permanent?

Yeah. Of course, we can. There's a fee agreed. Everything is in place. You get the season out of the way then you sit down and talk to everybody and try and get it done. If it was on my decision and Rangers' decision we would have him here for the long term. He's a player that we like and a boy that's settled in really well at our club. At 20 years old he's got a really exciting future.

Is it up to Malik?

Not so much. No. I think it's up to the two clubs.

Is that the benchmark now tonight?

They can't drop from that standard now. We've been good but missing chances. At the weekend we created numerous chances. Tonight we should have scored more. We are starting to keep clean sheets regularly which is a sign of a good team and we are winning away from home. Nothing in this league is a given though and that starts again against Ross County, who are fighting for their lives, at the weekend. I won't let the boys rest on their laurels. I don't trust them that much.