Michael Beale has addressed Alex Lowry's situation after Rangers were drawn against Hearts in the semi-finals of the Viaplay Cup.

The talented playmaker scored the winner for the Tynecastle outfit in dramatic fashion at Rugby Park on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old's neat drag back and arrowed finish saw Steven Naismith's men progress into the last four of the League Cup to relieve a bit of the pressure from the stands at the club.

Rangers joined the Edinburgh giants, along with Hibernian and Aberdeen, in the next round of the competition last night by defeating Livingston on home soil in the quarters.

Lowry has enjoyed a mixed start to life on loan at Hearts, with game time from the start not always forthcoming.

But Beale is pleased with his progress under Naismith as he revealed the player will not be involved in the semi clash in November, as per the loan agreement between the clubs.

He said: “Alex Lowry our boy went there and scored a fantastic finish so I’m delighted for him and he won’t be able to play.

"I went to see him at the weekend and Steven has done a good job and both semi-finals look like fantastic games on paper. It’s exciting.”

He continued: "They are the team I have watched probably the most this season because of Alex. I was at their game last week and unfortunately, he didn’t get on against St Mirren which was a good game.

"I think both ties look very, very good for the neutral and good for the competition. It’s quite a long way off with the amount of games we’ve got but it will be a really good day out for everybody when we get there.

"There’s no point getting to a semi-final without wanting to go back for the big day out in December. That will be our focus. Right now we need to recover and play against Aberdeen in two days' time."

Beale also called on schedulers at the SPFL to do more to protect players in the Premiership after his side's injury list was extended following the win over Livi.

Ridvan Yilmaz was withdrawn with cramp, while Kemar Roofe is believed to have picked up a groin strain.

Beale added: “Kemar Roofe felt his groin midway through the first half and has a slight problem.

"He probably should have asked to come off so we’ve had that chat and Ridvan is a touch of cramp. That’s the third game in seven days and Aberdeen will be the fourth in 10.

READ MORE: Beale confirms Roofe Rangers injury 'problem' and offers Ridvan update

"The only thing is the games have been at home but that’s hard on our fans financially. It’s not the schedule we make so we have to get on with it but if we look at the amount of injuries that will happen in these games or the three or four after it, could our game against Aberdeen been moved back 24 hours because they travelled to Germany and went to Dingwall.

"If want to see the product on the pitch we need to protect our players more.”