Graeme Souness: PSV Eindhoven a ‘step to far’ for Rangers but Celtic clash is a ‘must not lose’ for Michael Beale
PSV Eindhoven were a “step too far” for Rangers in their Champions League qualification loss, but a loss to Celtic in their next clash will put Michael Beale “under a helluva lot of pressure”, according to Graeme Souness.
As reported by FootballScotland (31 August), Souness was very forgiving of Beale’s side which suffered a 5-1 thrashing in the second leg of UCL qualification, suggesting that it still remains early to judge the side.
While accepting of the Gers’ need for time to develop, Souness was quick to point to Beale’s upcoming Old Firm clash on Sunday (3 September), claiming that the tie is a “must not lose” if the boss wants to keep the pressure at a distance.
As quoted by FootballScotland, Souness said: “We’ve got a new manager and he’s obviously trying to implement new ideas on the group he’s working with. He’s got some new faces. Several new faces. I watched both games and in the first game Rangers got away with it.
“PSV were a good team on the front foot. They weren’t so good defensively and they’ll get beat up a few times in the Champions League by the better teams but it was just a step too far for this Rangers team.
“He’s brought new players in and it’s still very early to pass judgement on them in terms of how they’ll do in the Scottish Premiership but it was a tough one to take. I’m a Rangers supporter and it was a hard watch.
“Michael’s been there before when Steven Gerrard was in the hotseat so he knows the pressure that comes. Getting beat up in midweek ain’t good for him and if he comes unstuck against Celtic on Sunday then that will put him under a helluva lot of pressure.
“He’s a new man, he’s a newcomer to the hot seat. I’ve been there, I’ve managed big football clubs and Rangers are as big as any. The pressure that comes with that job is enormous and he has to batten down the hatches and take it on the chin. He’s getting a lot of criticism.
“Do I believe in him long term? I wouldn’t be critical of him. He needs to be given time to get his team thinking the way he wants them to think and the way he wants them to play but it’s not an easy job he’s got. It’s a must not lose for him on Sunday.”
Fair
While expectations were high heading into the PSV clash, their defeat may not be the be-all-and-end-all disaster that some may have perceived it as.
Rangers have earned their spot in the Europa League group stages, a competition Beale will fancy his chances much more in compared to the Champions League.
UCL qualification would have most likely resulted in a group stage departure akin to last season, but the Europa League offers them a chance at redemption after their loss in the final to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.
The nature of the loss raised many issues, however. The poor defence was culpable for the large gulf in the scoreline while the attacking line struggled to create many clear-cut chances, with Rangers’ three shots on target dwarfed by PSV’s 10.
However, the true test comes on Sunday. Despite the PSV result, Rangers have been on a good run and have gone unbeaten in six games since their opening-day league defeat to Kilmarnock.
Celtic meanwhile have dropped points away at St Johnstone and, like the Gers, faced an upset at the hands of Kilmarnock in the Scottish League Cup.
Both Brenden Rodgers and Beale are under pressure but for differing reasons. Rodgers is yet to fully win over the fanbase after his return to Celtic Park while Beale must make his new signings click and challenge his rivals in the league.
In other Rangers news, the Gers could face a £12million windfall after a development in the last 24 hours.