Under-fire Rangers boss Michael Beale insists he does not need assurances from the Ibrox board about his future.
Beale was heavily criticised following the 1-0 defeat at home to Old Firm rivals Celtic at Ibrox before the international break.
The damaging loss came days after a 5-1 Champions League play-off defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands to exit 7-3 on aggregate and the Light Blues already sit four points behind Celtic in the cinch Premiership.
Ahead of the trip to St Johnstone on Saturday, Beale was asked if he had been given assurances by the board.
“I don’t need assurances,” said the former Rangers coach, who revealed Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell will miss three to four games with respective knee problems.
“I am part of a plan in terms of where we are going as a club.
“It is something I am fully aware of and involved in and ultimately a football manager needs to win games of football and the last two we didn’t win so we need to get back to winning.
“We have seven games in 22 days so we have the opportunity to do that
“I speak to James Bisgrove (chief executive) every day, I speak to John Bennett (chairman) and other members of the board at least two or three times a week as normal and nothing has changed in that respect. So I am really comfortable.
“My relationship with James Bisgrove and John Bennett is extremely close.
“I know where we are at, I know the plan coming into the season and I know where we are going as a club.
“We are very aligned so I have no concerns about that. I can’t affect the background noise, I have to get on with my job.
“We have discussed the period up until the international break and it is a chance to reflect. I am disappointed with the results like everybody else.”
That Celtic were under-strength and had no fans inside the stadium added to the sense of frustration of Gers supporters who sent out volleys of abuse at their own players at the final whistle.
Beale said: “They were sharing their frustrations, it was heard loud and clear.
“The fans are frustrated and disappointed but if they think the players aren’t then that would be foolish because the players live and breath it every day.
“There have been some really honest words said in-house that remain between us but the talking needs to be done on the pitch.”
The former QPR boss remains “hugely confident” that he is the man to turn fortunes around.
He said: “We came into this season, our domestic win percentage was really high.
“We played nine games in the first month of the season and some of the new players arrived just before the season started and we had nine new players.
“I think we have brought really good players in. The time to judge them is not now. Naturally we would like the new boys to come in and hit the ground running, the reality is the team has taken a bit longer than I thought to settle.
“I will own the last game, the players will have to own it as well and now we have to show our worth in the coming months.
Cantwell was injured in the final stages of the 1-0 defeat by Celtic at Ibrox before the international break and fellow midfielder Dowell last played in the game against PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox on August 22.
Beale said: “Todd Cantwell will unfortunately miss the next three or four games as a result of the challenge at the end of the game. Kieran Dowell is the same but other than that everyone else is fit and raring to go.
“Todd has a problem with his knee, he played on. We had to send him for a scan, we thought it might be worse than what it was. Kieran has had a strange reaction with his knee. He is out jogging but we have to see how that goes.”
Montego Bay United relinquish JPL lead after crushing defeat to Mount Pleasant
Montego Bay United’s reign at the top of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standings came to an abrupt end on Sunday after a decisive 3-0 loss to Mount Pleasant in the North Coast Derby at Drax Hall. The result allowed Waterhouse to claim the top spot on the table despite playing to a 0-0 draw with Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park.
Mount Pleasant delivered a commanding performance, with coach Theodore "Tappa" Whitmore lauding his team’s defensive solidity and disciplined play.
"I thought it was an excellent performance, a collective effort from the unit. I think defensively we were solid, we didn't concede," said Whitmore. "For the past couple of games we have been missing penalties, but we happened to put one away today. Coach Ferguson said in our team meeting that we are getting a penalty today, and we did get it."
Despite challenging conditions due to a wet playing surface, Mount Pleasant maintained their style of play throughout the match.
"That's what we want to do, we want to keep our standard. I think we controlled the game for the most part, we didn't give the opponent any look-in. I think that augured well for us," Whitmore added.
The loss was a major blow to Montego Bay United, who now sit in third place with 20 points, level with Portmore United but behind on goal difference.
Waterhouse climbed to 21 points, one ahead of both Montego Bay United and Portmore United, after their goalless draw with Portmore. Both teams had chances in a tightly contested affair, but neither could find the breakthrough.
Portmore missed a golden opportunity five minutes into the second half when Junior Grizzle failed to convert. Waterhouse improved as the game progressed, but Shacquwell Henry came closest to securing a winner for Portmore, glancing a header wide from six yards out with 10 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere, Tivoli Gardens produced a scintillating display to crush Harbour View 6-0, marking one of the most emphatic results of the season. Meanwhile, Humble Lion and Dunbeholden played out a 0-0 stalemate.
'I'm probably more out than in' - Salah yet to be offered Liverpool extension
Mohamed Salah says he is "probably more out than in" at Liverpool as he is yet to receive an offer to extend his contract.
The Egyptian is Liverpool's top scorer this season, having netted 12 goals in all competitions, but is in the final months of his current deal, which runs out at the end of the campaign.
Salah became the first player to score in five successive Premier League appearances for the Reds with his two goals in the 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday, since the Egyptian himself in October 2021 (seven in a row).
His second goal in that match was also his 100th away from Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions.
Salah, who has scored 223 goals since joining from Roma in 2017, admitted he was disappointed with the current contract situation.
"We are almost in December, and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club," he said. "I'm probably more out than in.
"I'm not going to retire soon, so I'm just playing, focusing on the season, and I'm trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I'm disappointed, but we will see."
Only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (12) has bettered Salah's tally of 10 goals this term.
Salah is one of three high-profile Liverpool players in the final year of their contracts, with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also approaching the end of their deals.
"You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this," Salah added.
"But in the end, it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December, and I haven't received anything yet about my future.
"I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end, it is not in my hands or the fans' hands. Let's wait and see."
Mbappe getting 'up to speed' with Real Madrid team-mates
Kylian Mbappe believes he is finally getting up to speed with his Real Madrid team-mates after scoring in a 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganes on Sunday.
Mbappe, who had played in a central attacking role since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, went four games without scoring in all competitions before netting the opener against Leganes.
The 25-year-old has come under scrutiny since his move, despite scoring eight goals in his opening 16 matches in all competitions, as he has not hit the free-scoring heights he showed while at PSG.
He scored his seventh league goal of the campaign after being moved back to his preferred position on the left, with Carlo Ancelotti saying after the game he was satisfied with the tactical shift.
Mbappe combined well with fellow attacker Vinicius Junior, who usually operates down that flank, as the Brazilian set up the goal.
"Vinicius and I read each other very well. I've got a great relationship with him, and he's a great player," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the win.
"I think I put in a good performance. I'm starting to get up to speed with my team-mates. I can play in every position, and I'm ready to help the team and give my all.
"It's the story of my career. I play on the right, on the left, in the middle and with two up top. It doesn't matter to me. I want to help the team and score goals."
Madrid are second in the league, four points behind Barcelona, who have played one game more. The leaders drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
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