Better rhythm, form, consistency! Watch Michael Beale’s Celtic confession

Michael Beale has claimed that all of the rhythm, form and consistency is with Celtic going into Monday’s derby clash.

The new Ibrox boss has a 100% record and home advantage for the first match of 2023 but seems to want to lavish praise on his opponents.

Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho made mind games an integral part of management but after less than 30 career matches in the hot seat Beale is still a novice.

He does enjoy hosting media conferences, sharing his thoughts and ideas, perhaps at today’s media session he gave away a bit too much of his thoughts about the SPFL leaders.

Asked about having some experience back in the side Beale said (3 minutes 30 seconds)

Let’s be honest we don’t have the rhythm that Celtic have right now, we don’t, that’s a fact it’s not an excuse.

We’ve had the two centre-backs back for two games and maybe 30 minutes against Aberdeen and since then we’ve looked a lot stronger.

Do we look water-tight- No, I don’t think we ever will because we like our two full-backs to play on the last line. There’s a reason why we can score three goals, sometimes you have to give up a chance to do that.

I think that at this moment in time all of the rhythm , all of the form, all of the continuity, all of the consistency is in the other camp. That’s fine. Two teams play the game and I’m looking forward to it.

Beale has a couple of injury concerns to worry about for Monday’s match but is likely to have as strong a squad available as his predecessor had against Celtic in September.

Ianis Hagi, Filip Helander, Tom Lawrence and John Souttar haven’t featured since August and remain out of contention but Alfredo Morelos, Connor Goldson and Ben Davies have all played in recent weeks and should be in Monday’s Starting XI.