MYLES BEERMAN, the 18-year-old Maltese left back who looks set to make the Rangers starting line-up against Celtic on Sunday, last night insisted his understrength side is capable of ending their opponents’ undefeated domestic record this season.
Beerman has started the last three matches for the Ibrox club due to captain Lee Wallace being out with a stomach injury and is likely to retain his place in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden this weekend.
It will be a tall order for Beerman and David Bates, the 20-year-old centre half who has also covered for the injured Clint Hill, to repel a forward line that has scored nine times against them in four meetings so far in the 2016/17 campaign.
However, the former Manchester City youth player, who was only signed last September, admitted that his side would be going out to end the 40 game unbeaten run of their opponents.
“I would love to be involved in such a massive game,” he said. “I was at Hampden to watch the last Old Firm semi-final (in the Betfred Cup semi-final in October). It was incredible and the fans were impressive.
“Part of football is the motivation to do well against good players. That is what I love and that is what keeps me going. It’s an Old Firm game and I know for a fact we will be up for it.
“I have watched them quite a lot this season. They are good players, but they are human beings. I have got to analyse them and then try to perform my best.”
Asked if ending the unbeaten domestic record of their city rivals was a motivation, he said: “It would be a big achievement for everyone. All we can do is prepare as best we can. It’s one of the biggest games of the season.”
Beerman has helped Rangers to keep clean sheets in their last three matches and played in the emphatic 3-0 win over second-placed Aberdeen at Pittodrie a fortnight ago. The teenager feels that being involved in that away game against the Ibrox club’s bitter rivals will prove invaluable.
“Playing against them definitely helps although all the games have been good preparation,” he said. “You are playing against top players so you have to prepare the same. Pittodrie was tough, but it was a game of football. I just concentrated on the match and tried to stick to my game plan.”
Beerman, who only signed for Rangers back in September, revealed that Wallace has been instrumental in ensuring that he coped with the demands of the first team despite being unavailable himself.
“Lee has been helping with everything,” he said. “He talks to me all the time. He has helped me with my positioning and how I need to prepare mentally. Lee has been terrific with me from the moment I joined the club. He is great with all the boys in the academy and is a great captain.”
Beerman is also confident that David Bates, the 20-year-old centre half who has filled in for Clint Hill in the last three games, will be able to handle the Celtic game. “David has been great,” he said. “He has been so composed since he came in. We have kept three clean sheets, but we have to keep focusing on the future.”
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