Rangers boss Michael Beale not looking to Celtic final as he discusses risk of Livingston’s plastic pitch to Ianis Hagi
MICHAEL BEALE insists Rangers are fully focused on beating Livingston — with next week’s Old Firm Viaplay Cup final OUT of his mind.
The Ibrox boss vowed he won’t pick a team against David Martindale’s men with Celtic in mind.
Gers trail leaders Celts by nine points in the Premiership and Beale insisted: “I don’t want to think about the game after this game, only this game.
“I’m not a coach who does that. I only think about the game in front of you because you can’t pick a team for a week’s time because that doesn’t work. You want to keep the momentum.
“Whatever happens this week we need to win next week either way because it’s a cup final and I will deal with that team probably Thursday or Friday, the back end of next week.
“As it stands right now the midfield is my biggest concern for this weekend because that’s the area where we have a few issues.”
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Beale is also set to leave Ianis Hagi out of his squad with the midfielder just back from a long-term injury.
He added: “Ianis has never had a problem playing on an artificial surface. But he has just returned from an ACL so we have to be realistic.
“One or two others have had problems in the past, but every player in our squad has played on a 3G pitch previously.
“We lost John Souttar on an artificial surface earlier in the season.”
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Beale is desperate to bring silverware success to Rangers this season.
He added: “If you’ve been a fan of Rangers in these last few years, you’ve had some wonderful days out in Europe.
“You’ve watched as we won the league unbeaten during the Covid season. One semi-final has already delivered a day out at Hampden.
“If I can give them another at the cup final, which we’re providing next week, and then get to another semi-final and a final, you’re providing the fans with experiences and memories.
“Ultimately you want to hold the trophy up.
“Since I came back, it feels like every game has been a cup tie, because every game has been one you have to win.
“At some stage that will change, naturally, and will probably enable the team to make another jump and grow again.”
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