Rangers verdict v Celtic emerges as journalist predicts poisonous showdown
Stephen McGowan has claimed it is difficult to enjoy an Old Firm game at Rangers or Celtic, with the pressure of losing too great to risk, describing it as “poisonous” ahead of the first of the season on Sunday 3 September.
The Scottish Daily Mail journalist shared the view that a loss always has real consequences for a manager, making the comparison to former Rangers boss Giovanni van Brockhorst, who he described as a “dead man walking” after his side lost 4-0 at Parkhead.
A comparison is also drawn between Michael Beale and legendary manager Walter Smith, with the former claiming these games are a privilege to be involved in, while the latter was less enthusiastic about the biggest game of all.
Writing via his column in the Scottish Daily Mail‘s The Verdict [2 September, pg 6], McGowan claims: “No one really enjoys an Old Firm derby. A poisonous occasion, the fear of losing is just too great.
“While most supporters are over a loss by Wednesday – maybe Thursday – losing has real-life consequences for a manager. This time last year, Giovanni van Bronckhorst lost four goals at Parkhead and instantly became a dead man walking. The Champions League sealed his fate.
“Whenever his successor is asked about the pressure of weeks like this, Michael Beale reads from the same script. Managing games of this importance, he claims, is a privilege. The kind of experience money can’t buy.
“Maybe so. But even Walter Smith, with all his years of service, regarded it as an experience which should come with a health-and-safety guide, an ejector seat and – when things go wrong – a sick bag.”
The first big clash of the season
Beale’s side have had an inconsistent start to the season, with an opening-day defeat to Livingston and a Champions League qualifier drubbing against PSV underlining the problematic transition the Ibrox side have faced after a hectic transfer window.
Celtic also faced a tricky result last time out as they drew 0-0 with St Johnstone off the back of a 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock in the Scottish League cup, with the pressure on both managers on either side of the divide ahead of the first Old Firm derby this season.
For the Rangers boss, the pressure started to ramp up even before the season began. A turbulent pre-season amid plenty of comings and goings as he looked to reshape his first-team squad ahead of his first full season led to suggestions that failure would not be an option.
The first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox will be a difference-maker one way or another. Beale will either be able to ease concerns around his managerial tenure, or see them increase tenfold should the result be particularly nasty.
In other Rangers news, one Ibrox exit was sealed last night after a contract termination.