Rangers manager Michael Beale says he was pleased for striker Antonio Colak after he scored his first goal since October against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup.

The Croatian actually gave away a very harsh penalty for a handball in the first half but he made up for it by getting the equaliser five minutes after half-time. Beale is hoping the goal will boost the player’s mood:

“Delighted for Antonio Colak to score. He’s needed that in terms of his confidence. You saw a better performance from him today because he was fit and able.”

It has been very difficult for Colak since Beale’s arrival at the club. He was sidelined with a calf strain following the manager’s appointment in late November and the 29-year-old really hasn’t had much of a look-in due to both fitness and form.

The only start that Colak had been given by Beale, prior to the Partick game, was the 2-0 win over Dundee United last month when he was substituted at half-time.

After starting his career at Ibrox like a house on fire, bagging 11 league goals in his first 12 appearances, it is surprising to see how much Colak has struggled since then but, hopefully, he has turned a corner now.