Chris Sutton shares Michael Beale verdict ahead of Rangers v Celtic
Chris Sutton believes that Michael Beale will come under intense scrutiny if Rangers do not beat Celtic on Sunday, as reported by the Daily Record [Page 44, 25 April].
In what is the fifth Old Firm derby this season, the Glasgow giants will collide in the Scottish Cup semi-final with a lot at stake at Hampden Park.
Sutton believes that Beale’s appointment will be questioned if he does not get the better of Ange Postecoglou, at the fourth time of asking.
Without a doubt, the heat is on for Rangers and the manager in the context of how this season has panned out, as well as looking ahead to the challenge of the new campaign, as alluded to by Sutton.
“If Rangers don’t win, there will be pressure on Beale. With the league pretty much boxed off, that’s everything at the start of the season,” he said.
“Beale, bar Celtic, has performed pretty well but if he loses the semi-final there will be Rangers fans questioning that whole appointment. That’s just the nature of Glasgow.
“It’s an enormous game. Beale will put himself under major pressure if Rangers don’t win.”
Time to rise
This time last year, Rangers came off the back of a euphoric 3-1 win over Braga to secure a Europa League semi-final spot, to eliminate Celtic at the same stage of the Scottish Cup.
There will be no such bounce this time, especially after the Aberdeen disappointment, but there are parallels to draw upon.
The Parkhead team were favourites then, as now, but it was proven they can be matched and beaten. Beale’s team went very close recently in the 3-2 defeat in the east end of Glasgow but there are no prizes for second best at not now.
Sunday’s game is firmly in the must-win category and the Gers boss knows it. Sutton, usually the troll, is accurate on this one in that it will pose further questions and doubt ahead of next season on Beale’s Ibrox tenure if he does not land his first Old Firm success.
All eyes are on Hampden.
In other Rangers news, Premier League player is on the verge of a move as Michael Beale to seal new transfer at Ibrox – report.