MICHAEL Beale has praised a ‘dominant’ victory from Rangers as they produced a 4-1 win over Hibernian at Easter Road in the Scottish Premiership this evening.
The Light Blues shook off an early setback when Hibs went in front through a Connor Goldson own goal, immediately responding when James Tavernier dispatched a spot-kick before a double from Antonio Colak and a Fashion Jr. strike sealed a comprehensive triumph for the Ibrox side.
Speaking to RangersTV after the victory, Beale was delighted at his team’s energy and quality: “I’m absolutely delighted. I thought the team started poorly on the set-piece, but after that I thought some of our play was good. We could, and probably should, have scored three or four goals more which shows how dominant it was. That was our best performance since we were last in Edinburgh and it was because our energy and commitment to pressing all over was fantastic.
"We came tonight, it was sold out, and it was quite an emotional crowd. They go 1-0 up and it looks like it could be quite a tough night so full credit to the players. They keep believing in the way that we’re playing, and if they keep showing that same belief and quality, then we’re starting to build a head of steam in our league form.”
The Gers registered a remarkable 31 shots on the evening and ought to have scored more as Colak was narrowly denied a superb hat-trick, and Beale insists that his side are playing with a real attacking confidence that will stand them in good stead heading into the final two fixtures before the international break.
He continued: “In 17 games, that’s nine times that we’ve scored three goals or more. The goals have been there. We’ve missed big chances in every game. Again tonight, a mixture of good goalkeeping and blocks, we should have scored three or four more goals and I don’t think anyone could have argued in the stadium.
“Onwards and upwards, that’s three points and that’s all it is. The most important thing is that we perform with the same level of application, quality and energy on Sunday to get us into a [Scottish Cup] semi-final.”