The manager knows Rangers will need to be up to the task as they come up against ‘the strongest Hearts squad’ he can remember.
Speaking to the media at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference, Beale said: “I think Robbie has done a fantastic job at Hearts. Playing in Europe kicks you on two or three notches and the fact they had European group stage football this year would have taken his players on two or three levels too.
“I think we're seeing that domestically now in their performances, it is the strongest Hearts squad I can remember, and I always like going to Tynecastle. It is always a feisty game and we take a good number of fans there, I’m sure they're looking forward to us going there on Wednesday and we're looking forward to going there as well.”
Beale was pleased to welcome Antonio Colak back into the squad as he made his return from injury against St Johnstone at the weekend. When asked about his attacking options, the manager continued: “I know you guys don't always see Fashion Sakala as a number nine, but he was recruited as one and then moved wide.
“Fashion missed out on the weekend as his wife just had a little baby girl so sometimes people read too much into things. Antonio was a player I really wanted to work with, the reality is he's probably taken part in about 30 per cent of the sessions. He came back into the squad for a couple of games just in case we needed to go in the last 10 minutes, and you think, well, he's a natural goalscorer, I'll just throw him on.
“That's probably done him a disservice because he's not been able to build up his fitness in training so the last week has been quite important.
“If he had to go hell for leather for 90 minutes right now, I don't think he would be able to so I'm still pushing him to get him where I want him. I think he's a very, very good player. He showed that early in the season when he came off a good pre-season and obviously, he was scoring goals in bunches, if we can get that Antonio in the next couple of weeks, I'll be delighted.”
The manager was also asked about Malik Tillman and how pleased he has been with the 20-year-old’s progress at Rangers. He continued: “He has been brilliant. He's a very shy young man, he keeps himself to himself and he's learning about the hustle and bustle of British football. He's a really calm, composed young man and that really helps him in the final third. I'm delighted with Malik. I'm trying to help him in a few areas of his game which I think will enable him to go and play really at a higher level in the future.”