BBC pundit reacts to Ibrox ‘craziness’ as Rangers make sack decision on Michael Beale
The Rangers board’s decision to keep Michael Beale is correct as “there still needs to be time given” to the manager, according to Kenny Miller.
As reported by the Daily Record (6 September), chairman John Bennett and other Ibrox chiefs are “ready to stand behind” Beale for now despite disappointing results in the first weeks of the window, with Miller suggesting it would be “craziness” to remove the boss this early in the season.
The BBC Scotland pundit admits that “things need to improve” at Ibrox, but points to Steven Gerrard’s tenure in the Gers dugout and reminds fans how long his rebuild took before winning a trophy.
As quoted by the Daily Record, Miller said: “I know we’re probably nine games in when you factor in the European games. But in terms of the league, we’re only four, and I think as much as you understand the climate and everything that goes with it, it’s craziness to be talking about removing anybody at this stage of the season.
“Particularly after what’s gone on in the summer. There’s no doubt you don’t get time at the Old Firm. Listen, it took Steven Gerrard three years to win a trophy and it was a rebuild then. Obviously, Michael was part of that.
“As much as things need to improve and there’s no getting away from that, you can understand the frustration of the fans after a Celtic defeat and there’s two weeks to pick over it, but there still needs to be time given.
“I don’t think [sacking Beale] would have even been on the agenda for the board. They’ve probably had to answer it because of the aftermath of the game and the outcry and disappointment. For me, I know you don’t get time, I’m also a big believer that as long as they believe he’s the right man then a bit of stability and continuity can lead to success down the line.”
Thin ice
While Beale’s job is safe for now, the ice under his feet is getting thinner and thinner. A response after the international break is essential.
Miller is correct though. While the Ibrox faithful understandably expect their side to be performing much better, four league games is too small a sample to judge Beale. Admittedly, disappointment in the Champions League has done Beale some damage, but in the long run, their Europa League qualification could bring more success.
The Old Firm defeat would have been a tough one to take. The echoing boos around Ibrox at full-time told Beale everything he already knew – it’s a tough old job.
The board would also be reluctant to sack him so early. They have backed him significantly in the transfer window, and Beale would have had a say in the recruitment. To depart with one of the focal points of the transfer policy mere weeks after the season began and just 5 days after the window shut would be short-sighted.
It took the board until November 2022 to sack Giovanni van Bronckhorst after a pointless Champions League group stage and being left nine points adrift from Celtic in the league, so Beale will need to at least have a convincing UEL group stage and keep the gap between the Gers and the Hoops to a minimum.
If Beale is afforded the “stability and continuity” that Miller has urged the board to give him, he may just be safe. But Beale must reward the board’s faith with a significant uptick in performances on the pitch.
In other Rangers news, a finance expert has reacted to the Beale sack talks at Ibrox.