Why Michael Beale needs Rangers marquee result to outline growth

Especially in the modern game of philosophy, extensive recruitment and granular analysis, management has changed along with its participants. Pre-season is not only a break from the glare of constant matches, it’s a chance to build and develop properly.

Michael Beale has repeatedly referenced “managing the season” as a result of his November arrival, emphasising on multiple occasions that supporters should expect to see a different Rangers after the summer.

“This current squad I feel they’re giving me the best they can and I’m getting the best out of them,” he said during an interview with Sky Sports aired before last Saturday’s Old Firm.

“A lot of the big decisions that needed to be made have been made. It’s just communicating that outwards, most of that inside has been communicated.

“Recruitment has started and pre-season plans are up and running. I have a plan but I have nine games in the way. I want to get to the summer and you'll see a different Rangers moving forward.”

That first sentence strikes a chord. On Saturday, Beale will have felt it was execution that let him down rather than tactical details.

This is why, despite Rangers suffering a defeat, it’s important to look at numbers, study trends and try to read between lines. It’s not making excuses to point out positives. The fact that familiar failings Beale inherited appeared alongside a far better-contested game is not mutually exclusive, both can exist at the same time.

Justifiably, Beale faced criticism following the League Cup Final defeat for his team selection. Despite pointing to an optimistic future of Todd Cantwell, Nico Raskin and Malik Tillman after the game, the former two were situated on the bench from the start. A lack of energy and freshness in midfield was obvious on that day in their absence.

Beale inherited a team that felt broken. They’d been to the top of the mountain, within penalty kicks of immortality before playing out the worst Champions League group stage of all time. Old Firm scars were reopened at the start of the season when Celtic again inflicted heavy defeat, just like in January. Watching those games it felt as though an inferiority complex had developed. Something a nine-point gap after 15 league games reflected.

The 2-2 January Old Firm wasn’t a polished performance, but Beale had only been in the building a matter of weeks and was still working with a squad wounded by injury. He was frustrated with the team’s overall defensive approach to drop deep and not pressurise the ball in conceding a late equaliser.

READ MORE: Michael Beale's tactics explained: Why Rangers can carry confidence to Hampden

The approach at Hampden was less profitable. Another slow start granted Celtic control and although Rangers’ familiar narrow 4-3-3 was relatively solid their opponents were still able to punch holes through it in transition. Even still, when Ryan Kent hit the post at 1-0 and Fashion Sakala missed a rebound the game’s balance was hanging.

On Saturday, as covered extensively in the Rangers Review’s analysis and match reaction, the visitors did not win the boxes as their manager demanded pre-match. At one end, they couldn’t capitalise on misplaced passes within the opening 10 minutes that Celtic exploited to race into a 3-1 lead.

Alfredo Morelos was just shy of Cameron Carter-Vickers’ blind backpass but Jota capitalised on John Souttar’s error.

Kent held onto the ball after intercepting Aaron Mooy’s pass when Morelos was free centrally but after Ben Davies’ failed clearance, Kyogo finished quickly through Allan McGregor’s legs.

As already covered, the xG chance value of Kyogo’s goals compared to Morelos’ misses were minor (0.12 and 0.15 to 0.16 and 0.17).

READ MORE: All the stats, data and trends from Celtic 3-2 Rangers 

That’s not so much a criticism of the Colombian’s performance. Rather, it acknowledges the reality that Celtic have a finisher who can define margins.

Perhaps, when Beale says this squad is giving him as much as they can he’s reflecting on details like those witnessed at Parkhead.

As Beale had reiterated before the game: “If we get moments, we have to execute. We had big moments at Ibrox and Hampden and didn’t. Ultimately it comes down to the boxes.”

This is where the reality comes in, however. The manager will know the wait for an Old Firm victory is not a happy one in Glasgow. Even if progress is evident and certain results have been harsh, the “big games” referenced between now and the season’s end hold such significance.

How similar a situation is this year’s Scottish Cup semi-final when compared to last year's with that in mind? Giovanni van Bronckhorst also needed a big result to earn a first Old Firm win, keeping supporters' eyes looking forwards in anticipation and not backwards in anger.

Beale’s domestic approach has shown itself to be far more effective than his predecessor so far. Rangers have been professional at home and particularly good on the road. Eight straight away wins in the league is not something Van Bronckhorst ever managed during his time at Ibrox. It takes Old Firm victory to get over Old Firm defeat, however.

“We’re certainly a team evolving all the time in terms of the style and ideas I have. A big performance will underline some of the good work going on or keep the noise as loud as it has been,” Beale added before Saturday’s game.

While noise rages on the outside, he will know his side are edging closer to where he wants them. Equally, to get time in Glasgow you have to buy time, something only big results grant.