Sir Kenny Dalglish tells Michael Beale what decision he has to call right in Rangers v Servette
Sir Kenny Dalglish warned Michael Beale he must “call it right” when deciding whether to go for the jugular or play with caution when Rangers face Servette in the Champions League.
The Gers won the first leg of their third round of qualifying Champions League tie 2-1 against the Swiss outfit at Ibrox but still have work to do in the return fixture in Geneva on Tuesday (15 August).
Dalglish, a legend on the other side of Glasgow with Celtic, says there is no room for error from Beale when there is so much riding on the result.
In his column for the Sunday Post in quotes reported by the Daily Record (13 August), Dalglish wrote: “The first game in midweek will be in Switzerland and Rangers go there on the back of a 2-1 win at Ibrox. Servette found themselves two behind but never gave up and scored a goal to get right back into the tie. The Swiss fancy their chances of winning this game and it’s up to Rangers to stop them. Servette seem a capable side but they have a problem, it would appear, with on-field discipline.
“They were down to 10 men for most of the second half at Ibrox and it was the same in the last round against Genk. Whether (they) keep 11 men on the pitch or not, Michael Beale has a decision to make in terms of how he approaches this game.
“With a one-goal lead, does he sit back and defend or does he go for it and try to score first to give a comfortable cushion? Will his players be more comfortable playing their natural attacking game or will they be happy to play deeper and let Servette have the ball?
“With so many attack-minded players in the squad, perhaps they will try to get on the front foot early to score first to take the wind out of their opponents. It’s probably more in Michael’s philosophy to be adventurous, but this is a one-off 90 minutes and there is so much at stake.
“The huge financial windfall of the Champions League group stage is on the line and there is no room for error. It’s Michael’s decision and he has to call it right.”
No room for error
It might rankle with Rangers supporters when a Celtic legend chimes in with opinions about the importance of their fixture against Servette, but there is little doubt that Sir Kenny makes a pretty valid point.
Michael Beale has undergone a heavy recruitment drive during the transfer window and primarily the focus will be on trying to overhaul Celtic in the Scottish Premiership this term.
But there will be a lot of pressure to make sure Rangers make the Champions League proper too (they would have another round of qualifying to get through even if they get past Servette) and make sure the riches on offer from Europe’s premier competition boost the coffers at Ibrox.
Rangers did what they had to at home by getting the win, but the one-goal cushion means they cannot make the trip to Switzerland in any sort of relaxed mood, there is a huge job still to be done.
Beale has to make sure he gets it spot on tactically. Any wrong move and Rangers could be in big trouble.
In other Rangers news, a Michael Beale sack decision has been mooted at Rangers as ‘lazy’ verdict shared.