Dissatisfaction and discontent were evident in the stands throughout Rangers’ latest lacklustre defeat to Celtic. The anger and frustration directed towards Michael Beale at full-time indicates the manager has lost backing from the rank and file.
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Michael Beale in Trouble at Rangers
Beale & Rangers Struggles to Win When It Really Matters
Rangers were unfortunate to be on the receiving end of a disputed VAR call, a disallowed goal that would have given them a first-half lead, yet the supporters appear to have little interest in dwelling on a bad luck story. Their collective ire is based on why the Light Blues have looked disjointed, unorganised, and devoid of attacking cohesion since the season commenced.
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Throughout the long and uneventful end to last term, the manager was at pains to point out that a rebuild was on the way to lift the malaise. His new-look side would be vibrant, and the ‘handbrake would be off.’ The manager is a smoother talker, he knows how to enthuse his audience, but as it stands, he is failing to deliver on a single aspect of his manifesto.
Lacking Structure and Strategy
Due to injuries, Celtic cobbled together a makeshift back four. Their defence lacked quality and belief for the trip to Ibrox. It was, naturally, assumed Rangers would go for the jugular, impose and unnerve their opponents with slick passing and intense pressing, but instead, the opposite unfolded. Beale’s side was hesitant; they retreated and resorted to aimless hopeful punts to a cumbersome forward.
As the Celtic centre-backs and Callum McGregor were afforded time and space to pick passes and enjoy the Glasgow sunshine, a vibrant atmosphere was replaced with chuntering on the terraces. The negative approach defied belief. In the opening period, there was more than one player anxiously glancing at the bench seeking direction from their coach and his staff.
Pre-season Woes Have Continued Into Real Action for Rangers
Since the opening pre-season game, Rangers’ strategy has been unclear. With the ball, they lack intensity or an identity – and out of possession, they are tentative and vulnerable, especially on the flanks. It’s a combination destined for failure, yet the manager appears oblivious to the glaring deficiencies in his system or his misfiring performers. The least expected from a Beale side, a highly regarded modern coach, is intricate and fluid attacking actions, yet the performances this season would not look out of place in a previous era.
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Nine summer signings arrived. Early evidence suggests the manager has wasted his resources. The only recruit to make a positive impression thus far has been goalkeeper Jack Butland. The former England stopper is a class act. His specialised role requires little instruction; his job is to make saves and distribute well. The eight others sold a PowerPoint dream by Beale are drowning in instructions.
Beale Faces an Uphill Task to Reverse Slide
🗣"Beale must resign"
Caller Derek and Barry Ferguson get into a disagreement over the future of Michael Beale after his Rangers side were beaten 1-0 at home to Celtic. pic.twitter.com/DBmmfAEwH0
— The Go Radio Football Show (@GoFootballShow) September 3, 2023
The manager has little credit in the bank – and the unappealing style of play has ensured there is little patience or empathy for his failure to win big games. He spent much of last season promising a better tomorrow, and at this point in his grand plan, his reign is reminiscent of the final days of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
When the supporters turn against a manager, it is only a matter of time before the inevitable happens. Perhaps a Rangers board, for once, could be proactive and make a managerial change before the campaign completely unravels. The directors dithered and waited until Van Bronckhorst had surrendered the league before acting, and few would bet against further self-sabotage.
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