Scottish journo slams Michael Beale mistake after what Rangers boss did this week
Stephen McGowan has slammed Rangers boss Michael Beale for “taking the bait” of Chris Sutton with the two exchanging words in the media this week.
Beale had a pop at Sutton earlier this week, telling the Herald (16 February), “Growing up, I was a fan of Chelsea. So there is one pundit around here who is the worst-ever player to play for Chelsea. That is why I won’t mention his name because I try to forget him.”
Sutton responded with a tweet the following day, saying, “The dog barks but the caravan keeps moving on??”.
Writing in the Scottish Daily Mail (18 February, pg 117) McGowan wrote: “When it comes to that Malik Tillman goal, Michael Beale’s judgement can’t be faulted. Not everyone appreciated the decision to let Partick Thistle waltz through the equalise during last Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox.
“Rangers fans made their feelings known. Chris Sutton asked on BBC 5 Live if he’d have done the same in a game against Celtic. Beale called the situation perfectly.
“He not only behaved as a Rangers manager should, he also protected a talented young player from a media storm. If he made any mistake at all, it was taking the bait of professional angler Sutton. He’ll learn.”
Beale’s nailed it
Michael Beale has nailed everything about this situation. Enough has been said about his decision to allow Partick Thistle to score so let’s focus on his actions in the aftermath of that game.
Having a go at Chris Sutton is something Beale is well within his rights to do if he feels Sutton has said something untoward.
Just because he is the Rangers manager that doesn’t mean he has to keep his mouth shut when certain pundits criticise something he has done.
Of course, there is an extra edge here because it’s now a Rangers v Celtic issue. But really it’s a Beale v Sutton issue.
The assertion that Beale needs to “learn” is neither here nor there, there is no handbook or set of rules you need to follow when you are Rangers manager.
Beale can conduct himself however he sees fit and if that involves calling out pundits when they have said something he disagrees with, then the Rangers fans will back him to the hilt.
In other Rangers news, the club are in line for a multi-million windfall from the Premier League after a £10m Auchenhowie milestone was reached.