MICHAEL Beale has stressed to his Rangers players the importance of winning the cup competitions this season – and avoiding the “unthinkable” prospect of Celtic triumphing in them and doing another domestic treble.
Rangers take on Aberdeen in the semi-final of the Viaplay Cup at Hampden this afternoon and Beale, who has overseen five victories and one draw since being appointed in November, is desperate for them to progress.
The Englishman has refused to rule out the Ibrox club’s chances of finishing first in the cinch Premiership this term even though they are currently nine points behind their Parkhead rivals in the table.
READ MORE: Michael Beale addresses Rangers expectation and sets January goals
However, he admitted that doing well in both the League Cup and the Scottish Cup is vital as failing to lift either piece of silverware will increase the likelihood of Ange Postecoglou’s men prevailing and completing their fifth treble in seven years.
“When you start the season, there's three trophies up for grabs,” he said. “It's unthinkable that they would go elsewhere because there's a big probability than they are only going to Celtic if they don't come here.
“We don't want that, we have had to live that before. It's important that we try to win every trophy that's in front of us.
"When you are talking about the league, if you believe deep down with 17 or 18 games to go that they might have a tough day or moment, then you have to be within striking distance.
“It's a shame really because five minutes killed us a couple of weeks ago (Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw at home in the Old Firm game at Ibrox), but we have to keep doing our job, getting better and improving.
“Since I have come in, it has seemed like every game's been must-win because of where we are in the league. What we want to try to do in the future is not be in a position like we are now, but that's the league.
“This weekend we play in the League Cup. It's a semi-final, the first trophy on offer this season, and we want it to come back to Ibrox.”
Beale is hoping the chance to round off a haul of major honours gives those Rangers players who have previously lifted the Premiership and the Scottish Cup an extra incentive to perform well against Aberdeen.
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"Some of my players have won the league and the Scottish Cup, so have an opportunity to complete their set,” he said.
“You don't know when the next opportunity is going to come, whether they are going to be here in a year's time or have that opportunity because you don't pick the draw. I wish we could because one or two get easier draws than us.
“Again, the players are playing for their futures because of the contract situation. That's not me saying that because I am a new manager and I am judge and jury, it's their contract situation.”
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