Rangers official partner baffed by ‘weird’ Michael Beale and Ange Postecoglou situation ahead of clash v Celtic
Rangers’ official partner Heart & Hand were left baffled by the “weird” decision by the ViaPlay sponsors to have both Michael Beale and Celtic manager Ange Postecoglu seated side-by-side at a pre-match press conference ahead of their League Cup final clash.
The two Old Firm rivals go head-to-head once again in what is expected to be another engrossing and pulsating affair as they both aim to have their hands on the coveted League Cup trophy.
With both teams in stellar form so far, the anticipation and excitement for the contest will only be heightened further and that was made apparent as both managers were pictured side by side together in what looked a rather strange and unconventional pre-match press conference.
Heart & Hand Podcast took to their personal Twitter account [21 February] to share their reaction, tweeting: “That’s so weird. No idea why the sponsors decided to make them do it jointly.”
A few minutes later, they provided clarification as to why both managers were pictured together rather than separately, tweeting: “Was just for photos, no joint presser. Good, it’s not a boxing fight that needs hyped!”
Very weird
Never has this kind of press conference been seen before with both managers sitting side by side in front of cameras and journalists as they appear to be waiting to take questions.
It is something regularly seen ahead of a big boxing match, not in football, and especially in a crucial and huge League Cup final tie between two fierce rivals.
What that image does, however, is only increase the excitement and heat for this crucial fixture between two of Scotland’s biggest clubs.
Maybe football needs these two-manager-style press conferences so that journalists can capture the intensity and pressure from both individuals together in the lead-up to a huge game.
Is this image pointing towards a different and much-changed future when it comes to pre-match pressers? Many fans will certainly be hoping so. If it brings more viewers and coverage to Scottish football, then why not introduce it?
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.