Beale: The Fans' Backing Is Vital

MICHAEL BEALE has confirmed Jose Cifuentes is in line to make his first start for the club against Livingston.

The 24-year-old Ecuador international made his debut off the bench in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Servette at Ibrox.

Now the gaffer has revealed the former Los Angeles FC ace is set to face the Lions tomorrow and says the fans’ backing is vital.

He said: “Jose is playing against Livingston.

“He didn’t get in until late on the Thursday before Kilmarnock and had a bit of jet lag, but with eight subs I just wanted him to see Scottish football.

“He could understand the environment, he has moved into his new place in the last few days after being in a hotel.

“I felt he was good when he came on the other night in the small glimpse, but I think he is ready.

“He has been playing since January, he knows his teammates and although there is a small language barrier, his English is decent enough.

“He is ready to go now and I am looking forward to watching him.

“At Rangers you are in a goldfish bowl but I believe in what we are doing, and the fans who came the other night were unbelievable.

“They support this team through thick and thin, whether we are home or away.

“We will go to Geneva next week and we will sell out our section and the fans give everything they can.

“Naturally, if the team underperforms there are one or two moans and groans, but when they are behind the team the support is extremely helpful.

“With social media and things it isn’t always your fans who are after your players but every manager faces that.

“At any big clubs there are demands but none of the players got to this level without demanding a lot from themselves.

“It is important sometimes to remove the background noise and focus on the work we are doing here.”

Livingston started the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Aberdeen and Beale knows how difficult a task Davie Martindale’s side will bring.

He added: “It will be tough and I have a lot of respect for the work Davie and his staff do.

“Livingston will pose us a completely different challenge to Kilmarnock in different areas. I don’t see them as just a physical team.

“Davie has done a fantastic job there with the budget he has. They are a tough nut to crack and they will make it difficult for us.

“Davie has them organised and a way of playing. So it is a different problem for us to solve.

“We have had a bit more time together on the training pitch.

“It was a sore one last week at Kilmarnock but we got a positive result in midweek. We know we could have won it better.

“We are creating good moments and the most important thing is to keep creating and over time we will take them.

“We aren’t thinking about Servette, we have plenty of time before that. Our focus is on Livingston.”


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