Beale: It Will Be A Different Challenge

MANAGER Michael Beale knows his side face a different challenge on Sunday as Motherwell visit Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.

Fresh off the back of an impressive 1-0 victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Europa League the Light Blues return to league action against Stuart Kettlewell’s team. 

Beale praised the performance of his side on Thursday evening but knows they must refocus ahead of another test in the league at the weekend. 

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, he said: “It will be a completely different challenge, Motherwell have got a fantastic away record, they haven't lost in a long time away from home, so it is an interesting game at the weekend. 

“They have had a week to prepare, they have had a chance to look at us and it is important we don't have too many pats on the back, that we dust ourselves down, we recover well, and we go again. 

“We are right in the thick of the action now, we have got six games coming up in around 20/21 days. When you win you want the next game to come quickly and lucky for us they do this week.” 

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With the busy schedule of fixtures across three competitions, Beale knows his squad will be key and believes the upcoming weeks will provide an opportunity for players. 

He continued: “We obviously have the four injuries to Kieran [Dowell], Todd [Cantwell], Nico [Raskin] and Danilo so there’s some quality that is missing but we still have 20 outfield players available and training for this game and as I say I trust one or two of the young ones to make a step up this season it is just when, not if. 

“If you play for this club you want to play 60 games a season as it means you are doing well so this is why we have built the squad and hopefully by the end of this little batch of games we are praising the squad and the strength of it.” 

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180723 Rangers vs Newcastle, Bailey Rice 88

When asked about Academy youngster Bailey Rice, Beale said he has been impressed by the midfielder, but also others in the Academy. 

He continued: “He is a player with a lot of potential and he has trained with us now for a long long time, I think he has been ready for a while to be in and around the squad.

“It is another step to go and play in front of 50,000 and the physicality of playing with men but he is a player that I really like, there's others in our Academy too. I don't just want to highlight him but when we are talking about midfield and losing Nico I think there's an opportunity that could come his way. Kieran Dowell will be back by next Wednesday or Thursday so that is good news as well. 

“It is a chance for people to step up and make the shirt their own and the nicest thing about the last couple of weeks is seeing Kemar Roofe play and finish games for me that is massive and Tom Lawrence being back in as well.”


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