MICHAEL BEALE believes his side showed ‘passion and desire’ as they started the UEFA Europa League group stage with a 1-0 victory over Real Betis.
It was an impressive start to Group C for Gers as Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal was the difference at Ibrox against the La Liga side.
Speaking to RangersTV at full-time, Beale said: “It was about passion and desire and our quality got better as the game went on. I thought at the start of the game we showed a little bit of a lack of belief at times with the ball but I'm proud of the team tonight.
“I thought the goal typified the passion really, we won three or four balls in the box, we were the hungrier team, and that has won the night for us. We had hit the post, we had hit the bar, Rabbi [Matondo] had a big chance in the first half so on the balance of chances I think we deserved it and rightly got the 1-0 win.
“We have to really commit against a team like Real Betis. They are a good side and in these close games it is important we come out the other side of it. There have been a few close games in big matches where we have been found wanting in the small details and tonight it was important.
“There are loads of things we have to improve on, there's loads of things we have to work on, me and the players, but we can't be short of effort, passion and desire and I think that's what won it tonight.
“I thought we were the stronger team as the game went on and that is a big step in the right direction. It is just one step and now we really have to kick on this week with the three home games.”
Beale hopes the squad can build on the performance and was delighted his side could also keep a clean sheet in the opening match.
He continued: “I don't think the fans understand how much they can help us as well, but I thought that was a team effort if you like and that is how we want Ibrox to be, that is how we need it on Sunday.
“The big thing is when you are a new player is coming into Ibrox and playing in big games like tonight to get the result and feel the feeling of what it is to play for this club I think that will help everybody.
“It is another clean sheet, we have been quietly collecting them and it is important that we continue that this week. I think the big thing is the feeling of the group and being a team that wins important games. It is just one game out of six, we now have two away games in this competition, and we are going to need to improve as we go on.”