Michael Beale's Rangers press conference in FULL as SFA appeals process blasted and Rome 'work' trip explained

Michael Beale makes the trip north to Aberdeen hoping Rangers’ run-in doesn’t head south as he gears up for a massive seven days.

The Ibrox side face an in-form Dons who have won six on the bounce under new boss Barry Robson but the Reds will be without skipper Graeme Shinnie after his sending off for a challenge in last week’s win over Ross County. Huge controversy surrounded that red card - given after a VAR check - with an extra game slapped on his ban due to the “frivolous” nature of the club’s appeal.

Beale addressed that in his Pittodrie pre-match press conference, expressing sympathy for Aberdeen. He also spoke about his trip to Rome after sharing images in the Italian capital on his Instagram page as he confirmed it was strictly business with Rangers closing in on signing targets as he builds up to the big one on Sunday week and that Scottish Cup semi-final showdown against Celtic that could salvage their season. Here is every word of the Englishman’s presser.

Are any of the six players who missed St Mirren available this week?

MB: Scott Wright will be back. Young (Alex) Lowry hasn’t returned to training yet but will return to light training. Connor Goldson and Ryan Kent will make next weekend and Antonio will be touch and go. Ryan Jack will be three or four weeks.

Thoughts ahead of Aberdeen after getting that win right at the end last time…

MB: It will be remembered for Scott Arfield in the last couple of minutes. He gave us a reminder of that last weekend as well, arriving late in the box. He’s made his career on that. The games against Aberdeen, certainly up at Pittodrie, are usually feisty. Barry (Robson) has gone in at a difficult time and done really well and now they find themselves in the position