Rangers boss Michael Beale hopes for end to pitch battles

The national stadium surface was particularly heavy following a wet Saturday in Glasgow for both of the weekend's Viaplay Cup semi-finals.

Beale is concerned that some of his players might pick up injuries in the wake of his side's extra-time win over Aberdeen, especially with a trip to Saturday's beaten semi-finalists, Kilmarnock, to come tomorrow.

The other teams in the last four, Celtic and Aberdeen, also have games in midweek and Beale feels the state of the pitch might remain a talking point.

"I know we can't control the weather," he said. "Do we separate the two weekends to play one this weekend and one next weekend?

"That's for other people to decide but that was a difficult pitch and that could take its toll because we have a game on Wednesday night and so do the team we played and so do the two teams who played on Saturday.

"Where will the injuries come from playing on a heavy pitch and with the heavy legs to go again on Wednesday and again next weekend in the cup?"

One definite injury concern is match-winner Kemar Roofe, who landed heavily on his shoulder and had to come off shortly after making it 2-1 in extra-time.

Beale said: "Kemar can't catch a break. He comes on and gets the winner then goes off injured. We'll have an X-ray on that but he's not dislocated it so we're hoping it is just a bad landing and a sore one.

"With Antonio Colak out and Kemar out, who was our top goalscorer the year we won the league, I think the group deserve big credit for continuing to win under big pressure every three or four days."

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin will be without Anthony Stewart for his side's trip to Hearts after the defender was sent off for a reckless challenge.

Goodwin had already lost Luis 'Duk' Lopes and Leighton Clarkson through injury while Kelle Roos was struggling with a strain.

"We can't dwell on it too much because we have an important game coming up in midweek against Hearts, who are on a very good run of form,” he said. "We have to see what kind of squad we have available and make sure we compete at the same levels."