The Gers boss was at Hampden this afternoon to preview Sunday’s Old Firm derby as the Light Blues look to lift the League Cup for the first time in 12 years.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, he said: “It is a fierce rivalry, but it is one that is an absolute pleasure to be involved in. I would like to have come to the game as a fan or as a young boy.
“All of the players and the staff involved were fans and lovers of football before we ended up in these clubs in the position we are in, and it is a very privileged position. The rivalry is fierce and looking at the best side of it, I think makes it the best derby in the world and I think we must focus on the positives.
“The two teams are showing form at the moment and I think we are going into a final which is a really big game for Scottish football in general. It keeps the focus on our league and at the moment I think our league is in a good place.
“We have some interesting players on both sides who could go and play at real high levels. I know it has got to be Rangers or Celtic but when I stand back from this fixture and look at the two teams there's a lot of good players and a lot to be thankful for.
“As long as everyone respects each other and goes around it in the right way then I think it is a beautiful rivalry and it is what makes football what it is.
"For my family and friends down in London it is always a game you love to watch on tv, and you made sure you watched it and that is going back down the years, so I am hoping that this generation and these two teams are remembered fondly as well.”
Beale has been happy with recent consistency his team has found as they head into the match with 13 wins and a draw in his first 14 games in charge.
When asked about the mentality of his squad in finding different ways to win, the manager continued: “In the last game against Celtic, we couldn't have had a worse start and we found a way of recovering, I think my team has shown that when things are against us, we have managed to come back in games.
“I’d like us to start better but also continue to finish games well. You would prefer a game like this to be concluded by a moment of brilliance or a moment of magic rather than a mistake. I think in both teams there's more than enough people that can step forward for that, my hopes are that that is in a blue jersey.
“The club had an issue with consistency earlier in the season and I have had it for periods of time since I have come back. We have had a lot of injuries this year. It has been something that is not an excuse, but I think it is just a fact.
“If you look at the Rangers squad it has gotten stronger as time has gone on because people have returned from injury, but we still have a list as long as we have fit.”
The manager has been happy with the impact of January signings Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin as he looks to continue to implement his style of play in the team.
“He continued: “We are not as free as we were before and that is maybe because there have been some results previously that have knocked confidence but again consistency and adding some renewed energy to the squad has been important.
“We have done it with Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell, they have brought lovely energy into the group. I have come in and picked it up and run with it and the boys have been fantastic. I think we will get stronger with time.”