Rangers' Aberdeen win justifies Michael Beale's January comments

And yet, as Michael Beale was at pains to point out during his post-match press conference, Rangers have played better and been on the end of worse results at the national stadium in recent years. For all the variables and a man advantage enjoyed, they set up an Old Firm final despite falling behind in yesterday’s 2-1 win against Aberdeen. Beyond all the talking points thrown up, that’s the most important one.

“Steven [Gerrard] has sat here when I was assistant to him when we’ve dominated a semi-final and got beat, I had a final as an assistant where we got beat and were the better team,” Beale said.

“I thought we were the stronger team today and I’m just delighted to be through. I’d prefer us to be in front, to be honest, but our response was fantastic. Mentality, character and belief in the way we play. To not rush it, not force it and keep playing to create chances.”

Considering the conditions this was a further step in the right direction on the ball, even if a freak moment off it made the day so much more difficult.

Bojan Miovski had run offside but Matty Kennedy had not as Borna Barisic ground to a halt in the first 45. His marker went through the gears instead to clip the ball into the area, where Miovski would find the net.

By this point, the Ibrox side had struck the woodwork and repeatedly broken defensive lines down the right side. Alfredo Morelos went close with a header and Ryan Kent stung the palms of Kell Roos from range. It took a half-time reset again for the wrongs to be made right as acknowledged by Beale after the game, referencing the self-doubt that had crept into his team's performance.

“I don’t want the players to be so anxious, I don’t know where it’s coming from at times in the game,” he said.

“We’re a good football team, we win a lot of football matches. I don’t know why that anxiety is there so we must stop. There were moments when we were anxious. To win the game was fantastic.”

The belief, mentality and character the manager also pointed out ultimately prevailed. Nobody remembers a scrappy semi-final win if the cup final is successful. This squad have plenty of unhappy memories at Hampden when the score hasn’t ended favourably.

Beale’s side are making an unwelcome habit of falling behind and a welcome one of never accepting defeat. They started to get more bodies around Morelos after the break and when Kent punched the ball through the lines following an elaborate stepover, the Colombian provided for Ryan Jack to score what felt like a big goal, not only in the context of this afternoon.

READ MORE: The two midfield profiles Michael Beale must recruit in January

These players are clearly still recovering from battle wounds of previous failed domestic cup ventures. Goals at Hampden seem to mean just that little bit more.

Kemar Roofe was the match-winner before being dealt another cruel blow in a year littered with unfortunate events. Another substitute, Scott Wright, made the goal.

“I’ve been speaking to Scott about being more direct, when he is direct he is a much better player,” Beale added.

“Kemar can’t catch a break, he comes on and gets the winner and then goes off injured. We will have an x-ray on that tomorrow, it’s not a dislocation so we’re hoping it’s just a bad landing and a sore one.”

Beale inherited the injury situation that played a part in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s unravelling at Ibrox and in seven games managed, has rarely enjoyed the luxury of bringing on a game-changer, as he was able to do yesterday.

There’s a reason that every press conference has been full of references to those unavailable. Only now is the new manager starting to get access to the squad, rather than just the team. Even with his full complement, comments in recent weeks show he believes additions are necessary now, after resisting the urge to call for signings during the internal assessment stage that followed his appointment.

Beale’s January has been spent holding talks with potential arrivals and now it’s over to those above him. The possibility of loan moves has been publicly put off the table, the requirement for starters is very much out in the open.

“We need people to come in that will be big players for Rangers in the next two or three years,” was the quote after an Old Firm draw.

“We only bring people in that are starters. We want people coming in to be exciting now but exciting in the future as well,” Beale said after a 2-0 win at Tannadice.

“Listen, it could be up to three or four, it could be one or two. They have got to be the right people,” was the latest comment before this weekend’s fixture.

Regardless of the final product, viewers can see what Rangers are trying to do. That’s important when so much of the last year has been spent seeking answers to that very question.

Yesterday’s performance was better than the full-time narrative suggested, especially given the extra efforts to control each pass, bobbling its way to a recipient.

Match that up with the rediscovery of mental resolve and the club’s on-field direction, so aimless weeks ago, is pointed towards long-term success under a new regime.

Since arriving, Beale’s maximised the tools at his disposal by implementing an identity and helping some players to recover their own. He’s said the right things, rebuilt confidence and earned buy-in from the stands.

Recruitment comments in recent weeks reflect what every outside observer has been insisting. Although Beale's getting the most out of this squad, to properly move Rangers forward he needs investment in the playing squad now, to drive his project forwards.