Michael Beale borrows from Rangers playbook during Sunderland victory lap as jubilant boss nabs 2 Ibrox buzzwords

Delighted Michael Beale secured his first victory as Sunderland boss with a win over Hull City.

And his post-match debrief after the Boxing Day victory will be all too familiar for Rangers fans as he return to his tried and tested playbook after the English Championship win. The Black Cats got their push for the promotion spots back on track after a disastrous 3-0 defeat to Coventry at the Stadium of Light in Beale's first game - which saw his own fans chant for the return of axed manager Tony Mowbray.

But things went much Beale against play-off rivals Hull as they secured a narrow 1-0 win at the MKM Stadium to move into sixth spot in the table. Following the full-time whistle, Beale lauded his players for displaying two key factors mentality and character. The Sunderland gaffer said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the mentality of the group. I think we can be a bit fussy in the final third, trying to score the perfect goal.

"I'm delighted with the mentality and character. It's a big positive for me moving forward."

And the quotes echo the comments he made following his first win in the Ibrox hot seat during his ill-fated 11-month spell in Govan. After seeing off Hibs in a 3-2 win, he said: “I thought we played well in the second-half and we turned the game around which was fantastic in terms of mentality and character of the group.

"They really took on board the information I gave them in the second-half and we dominated. We had big chances to go and increase the lead as well but I am delighted."