Kenny Miller has defended Michael Beale over his Rangers team selection in the Viaplay Cup final against Celtic.

The Ibrox boss faced questions over his line-up in midfield in particular with January signings Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell on the bench.

The pair did come on in the second half with Raskin making an impact but he couldn't do enough to haul his side back level at Hampden.

Instead, Beale started Glen Kamara and John Lundstram in holding roles with Malik Tillman passed fit and preferred to Cantwell.

While there have been serious questions posed of the major personnel decisions, Miller defended Beale as he justified the selection.

Asked if Beale might regret not strating Raskin and Cantwell with the benefit of hindsight, Miller told Sky Sports: "Honestly, I don't think so.

"Going in there was a lot of speculation on who would play, who wouldn't play, who was fit.

READ MORE: Michael Beale defiant over Rangers team selection against Celtic

"I think Lundstram coming back in, for me it adds physicality into that midfield. If you look at Raskin, Cantwell and Kamara it might look a little bit lightweight.

"I think going into this game with the experience that Kamara and Lundstram have got - I wasn't surprised to see the two of them in midfield.

"And I think if you are playing that way then it would have been a straight choice between Tillman and Cantwell in that more advanced position in midfield.

"I think most Rangers fans would probably have expected Tillman to get the nod in that respect.

"I know the Raskin situation was maybe one where looking back maybe Michael will think maybe I could have thrown him in.

"But I don't think you can argue too much with the team. I just don't think they got a grip of the game early, they never got after it and Celtic were able to dictate the tempo and have the control."

On his selection at Hampden, Beale said: "Since I've come back in, I've tried to provide some consistency and clarity in terms of messages that the team are comfortable with.

"That same team played ever so well at the Old Firm at New Year, it put in the best performance in terms of 90 minutes since I've come back away at Hearts. On that night, we were excellent.

"So we had our goals on the pitch. Tillman and the front three had been in fine form since I've come back, over 20 goals in that team that was there since I've come back, so it's fine. 

"You've got two players that have come into the club that played two-and-a-half games each against opponents where you've got the ball.

"There was a little bit more to do today defensively, but also match legs, so there no qualms in terms of performance."

Asked why he had brought Cantwell, Ryan Jack, and Raskin in the second half, he said: "I just felt at that moment, I needed to shake the tree a little bit and try something. 

"We were stronger after that because we scored, but we scored from an isolated incident before we made those changes."