Michael Beale has slammed the St Johnstone “cow field” pitch as Borna Barisic helps Rangers into the next round of the Scottish Cup in Perth.
The Ibrox manager was answering questions regarding a perceived lack of fitness in the Rangers team as a bruised Gers squad ambles from game-to-game at the moment.
But biting back at the suggestion, which nodded towards potential midweek additions, the Rangers manager was clear that playing on three awful surfaces in a matter of days has not helped their cause.
Rangers defeated St Johnstone 1-0 in Perth courtesy of a Borna Barisic goal to reach the next round of the Scottish Cup on a heavy and weather-affected McDiarmid Park surface.
This comes a week after Rangers overcame Aberdeen 2-1 AET on a torn up Hampden surface to reach the League Cup Final and only days after the Gers defeated Kilmarnock 3-2 on the infamous Rugby Park artificial pitch.
“I’m delighted with everything. It’s been three games in six days, all away from Ibrox,” said Michael Beale [Rangers].
“When the draw was made, everyone looked at it as a sticky game on a difficult pitch.
“That’s exactly what it was. It wasn’t perfect but the most important thing was winning, a clean sheet and being in the next round. I’m absolutely delighted.
“We certainly didn’t need three games in six days on two cow fields.”
Michael Beale praises Borna Barisic goal v St Johnstone
The Rangers boss also paid tribute to Borna Barisic after the victory over St Johnstone, with Rangers now turning their attention to welcoming the Perthshire club to Glasgow in a week’s time.
The Croatian left-back has had plenty of doubters in recent weeks and after a suspect performance against Aberdeen, Michael Beale was even answering questions on the 30-year-old’s form.
But against St Johnstone, Borna Barisic proved to be the man of the moment with a fine strike into the far corner which ensured Rangers’ progression in the Scottish Cup.
“I’ve just been told it’s Borna’s first goal from open play in a couple of years so well done to him,” said Beale.
“He got an assist in midweek as well. I was told at a press conference recently that fans were criticising him. They won’t be criticising him tonight.”
The victory means it’s eight wins in nine games as Rangers manager for Michael Beale with the club certainly looking a more formidable force under the Englishman.
Meanwhile, there’s a debate raging surrounding the future of one Rangers star.