Craig Moore shares what Michael Beale needs to do to save Rangers job
Former Rangers defender Craig Moore believes Michael Beale needs a “near perfect run” of results up until Christmas if he is to save his job at Ibrox.
The Gers lost 1-0 at home to Celtic in controversial circumstances on Sunday [3 September] to make it two defeats in their opening four Scottish Premiership matches this season.
With Rangers also failing to qualify for the Champions League group stage following defeat to PSV in the qualifying play-offs, Beale is under increasing pressure during the international break.
Moore, who made over 250 appearances for Rangers across two spells with the club, insists winning games is the only way for Beale to turn things around and win back supporters.
“It’s a tough situation,” he told Sky Sports Scotland [4 September, 3m 29s]. “Once you get the swell of support against you here, then it can be very difficult to come back from.
“I was at the game yesterday, and coming out there was a lot of supporters really unhappy with the performance, the situation, his selection. He needs a near perfect run to turn this around.
“Michael Beale is a smart enough man, but he knows the expectations and what he needs to achieve. That’s on the manager and not the players.
“It’s something that has to be rectified. His run between now and Christmas needs to be near enough perfect.”
Pivotal period
Losing to PSV in the Champions League qualifiers – and heavily at that – before tasting defeat to Celtic four days later has made this the most difficult week of Beale’s tenure.
To make matters worse for the 43-year-old, there is now a two-week break for the club to ponder his future.
Beale would have no doubt wanted to play another game as soon as possible, but there is now a 12-day wait before facing St Johnstone – assuming he is still in charge.
After that, the Light Blues have a run of four successive home games across three different competitions.
That batch of five fixtures through until early October will be massive for Beale, who knows any further slip-ups – such as exiting the domestic cup – could cost him his job.
A run of victories across those games, though, and all of a sudden things will be looking a lot rosier once again come this time next month.
In other Rangers news, Robbie Savage got involved in an on-air debate over whether Kemar Roofe’s goal against Celtic should have stood.