Rangers boss Michael Beale praised duo before Tuesday and it backfired – Our View

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Rangers boss Michael Beale watched his side secure a incredible late win on Tuesday night, but the Ibrox manager heaped praise on Luis Lopes and Leighton Clarkson before the match – and it backfired despite the 3-2 victory.

Having come from behind to beat Hibernian last Thursday, winning 3-2 at Ibrox, Beale might have hoped for a more-relaxed win on Tuesday. But going to Pittodrie is always a tricky task. Rangers took the lead, Fashion Sakala netting.

Untidy in his finish, but he made it two goals in two. But Rangers were pegged back by Aberdeen, and had Scott Arfield to thank for his injury-time brace to win 3-2 – a second successive win by the same scoreline. What happened?

Rangers had Connor Goldson back. But it made little difference. The gaps, the defensive concerns remain. But was it perhaps Beale who made a mistake in his pre-match press conference – heaping praise on two Aberdeen players?

Indeed, Beale spoke before the match about Aberdeen – handing out praise on Lopes, also known as Duk. Also, on-Liverpool star Clarkson. Typically, both players scored for Aberdeen and almost won the match for the Dons.

“Leighton Clarkson is a good, young player. I know him from Liverpool. The boy Duk who has come in from Portugal has done well and all. I’ve seen a difference in their style,” Beale told his pre-Aberdeen presser, on Rangers YouTube.

Rangers boss praised Lopes and Clarkson and it backfired despite win

Duk fired a free-kick over the top of Allan McGregor, who should take some blame for the in-form striker’s goal. Clarkson, who is on loan from Liverpool and Beale knows of, fired a half-volley into the back of the net.

Both goals showed enormous quality, but also, confidence. Duk backed himself to find the top corner and did, and Clarkson had the confidence to have a go from 22 yards out when he could easily have passed or taken a touch.

Perhaps, Beale singling out the two Aberdeen stars before the game and praising them backfired. In the end, Rangers went on to win the match but it might see Beale refrain from praising opposition players before a match in the future.