George Overhill

Fri 30 December 2022 17:40, UK

Michael Beale will emulate Steven Gerrard’s Rangers tactics for his first Old Firm derby, according to former Celtic winger Shaun Maloney.

The Gers had worked their way into a position of dominance in the Glasgow rivalry under the title-winning manager, which fell away under successor Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

But despite some heavy defeats in the past year ex-Hibs boss Maloney believes the Light Blues were figuring out how to combat the Hoops, and expects former Gerrard assistant Beale to go back to what worked when he was at the club previously for game on 2 January.

Speaking on the PLZ Soccer Show on Friday (30 December, 14min 35sec) Maloney said: “Even under Gio, apart from the 4-0 game, even before then I actually think Rangers were starting to figure out how to play against Celtic in the way that they play with their full-backs.

“I think there’s only been a couple of teams who have had more possession than Celtic since Ange [Postecoglou] has come in, domestically, Rangers being one of them.

“And I think because it’s Michael Beale’s first game and he’s going to go very aggressive, they have to stop Celtic playing.”

He went on: “Under Gerrard, the way that they pressed, I think they’ll go very similar [with] Michael Beale, and I actually think it’s probably the best way to play Celtic. You have to go as high as you can.”

Redress the balance

With one extra-time win in the Scottish Cup under Van Bronckhorst it is clear that Postecoglou has had it largely his own way for the past 12 months.

But Beale has already brought about a lift at Ibrox, in results if not quite performances, so the upcoming meeting should be different.

Nine points clear at the top of the league, and largely in strong form, the visitors will be favourites still but the unknown quantity of Beale in charge for the derby leaves the door open for it go the other way.

Experience of the rivalry in another capacity won’t necessarily work in the Gers boss’ favour since Van Bronckhorst had played in the fixture himself but his side looked woefully underprepared for his first trip to Celtic Park as manager.

But maximum points from his four games in charge since replacing the Dutchman is all that could really be asked for from Beale.

If he follows that up with a result against Celtic then the revival will well and truly be on for Rangers, but it will be a big step up from the games he’s overseen so far, which his side only kept a 100% record in by the skin of their teeth.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues are looking to take advantage of contract deadlock with a January move for an in-form attacker.