Michael Beale praised Celtic’s good form (Picture: Shutterstock)
Rangers boss Michael Beale has praised Celtic’s ‘outstanding’ form as he conceded there is only a ‘low’ probability of his side winning back the Premiership title from their rivals.
The Light Blues are unbeaten, with a draw against the Hoops and 12 wins, in 13 matches since Beale replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst in November but are still nine points behind their pace-setting Old Firm rivals.
The two sides will meet in the ViaPlay Cup final next weekend and Rangers’ scrappy 3-2 win over Partick Thistle last Sunday set up a home Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Raith Rovers.
Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Livingston, which will be the Govan side’s 26th out of 38 league fixtures, Beale was asked to assess his side’s title chances.
He said: ‘The probability is low because the games are running out and there are only so many games left. We are in very good form. Celtic are in very good form and their form has run longer than ours so you would say it is outstanding form.
‘What I would say is momentum can change things in football so all we have to do is keep doing our job and hope the momentum changes.
Malik Tillman runs round Partick Thistle goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon before scoring to give Rangers a 2-1 lead (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘If it doesn’t, we still have to win games and build stronger for the cup competitions and what has to come. We cannot take a foot off it, that’s why I was a little bit annoyed at the weekend’s performance.’
That game will live long in the memory due to the incident that saw the Light Blues allow Thistle to equalise unchallenged after the misunderstanding that saw Malik Tillman put the hosts 2-1 ahead after the ball had been kicked out to allow him to receive treatment.
It was also the last game in charge of the Jags for Ian McCall, who was sacked hours later.
Beale said: ‘I was surprised. I thought his team played ever so well on the day.
‘Sunday was an interesting day. I haven’t had many days like that in football – and some parts were not so nice.’
More: Scottish Premiership
Beale was asked about winger Ryan Kent and striker Alfredo Morelos, two of several players whose contracts run out at the end of the season.
The Gers boss confirmed ‘talks are ongoing’ but stressed the importance of the run-in.
He said: ‘The way that this club ends this season will determine everything for more than just those players. There is a lot to play for at this moment in time.
‘We know the emotions in this city based around where you finish and whether you hold a trophy above your head between now and the end of the season.
‘That has a big part to play in terms of the make-up of our squad next year. Any comments I have made recently are not to show I am less confident. If anything, I am more confident today.’
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He says they’re running out of games.
