Joe Roberts

Sun 6 August 2023 8:40, UK

Gary Keown has dubbed Rangers’ loss to Kilmarnock a “catastrophe” while accusing Michael Beale of selecting the wrong side for their opening match of the season.

Writing in the Scottish Mail (6 August, pg 98), the columnist claimed that the lack of defensive recruitment at Rangers this summer is Beale’s fault while stating that not starting Todd Cantwell was a poor decision.

Despite a haul of new signings, including Danilo and Cyriel Dessers, Keown blasted Beale following the 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock and claimed his Rangers reign is becoming “more and more unconvincing”.

He said: “One game into the season and Beale’s already behind the eight-ball, looking at a situation where failure to beat his city rivals at Ibrox on September 3 is most likely going to leave him staring into the void.

“Make no mistake, opening night or not, losing at Kilmarnock last night was a catastrophe. Picking the wrong team – how could he possibly start with Cantwell on the bench? – is all on him.

“Not strengthening a defence that wasn’t up to the job last season is all on him. Sending out a selection with no width and an inability to do the basics is all on him.

“His team rarely shone last season, but at least they picked up results. Last night was just unpalatable stodge with no sweetener. For all the new players and all the talk of reinvigoration and renewed confidence, this guy just appears more and more unconvincing as his Ibrox reign unfolds.”

Harsh

While Rangers did not look like a convincing side against Kilmarnock, it may still be slightly too early to judge the transfer window after just one league match.

With an influx of new signings, Beale won’t know his strongest team yet and will need more time to figure out which players are worthy of starting and which need more time to develop and understand the requirements of playing for Rangers.

However, the lack of defensive recruitment is an area that many questioned ahead of the new season. Despite seeking new defensive players, the majority of new recruits have been attacking. The likes of Danilo, Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers won’t do much to help Rangers’ defence which was “not up to the job” last season, so Keown’s criticism feels fair here.

Rangers had plenty of opportunities to score in their opening match and created some promising moves, but lacked the cutting edge to get the needed goal. They were eventually undone by a simple Kilmarnock throw-in which caught Jack Butland blindsided, while the defence in front of him looked disorganised and weak.

While improvements clearly need to be made, judgement should be reserved until fans have the chance to see this side in action more.

However, it is not the start anyone, except Celtic fans, would have wanted for the Gers and Beale will have to manage the pressure as he continues this season.

In other Rangers news, a title-winning Ibrox hero in direct talks for a move away from Rangers.