BBC pundit tells Rangers boss Michael Beale what he ‘can’t afford’ now at Ibrox
Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell has warned Michael Beale that he “cannot afford” to lose any more games between now and the winter break.
Beale has been under intense pressure at Ibrox on the back of defeats to PSV and Celtic prior to the international hiatus.
The Gers failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage and are already four points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Amid question marks over the manager and the new players brought in, Bell – now a BBC pundit – believes Beale could be out with any defeats in the coming weeks.
“There’s no getting away from it, we expected a lot more from the other signings that have come in. They haven’t hit the ground running yet,” he told Record Sport [12 September].
“Michael Beale will have had some time during the international break to reset, refresh and try to lift the levels of performances. But it has to happen now as he can’t wait any longer. He is under pressure he knows that himself.
“He has to win games between now and the winter break – and probably can’t afford to lose any more. He’s spent a lot of money on these players and he now needs them to justify that. He’s given them his faith and they haven’t performed for him.”
No more room for error
Many will be surprised that Beale is still in a job, but it now looks increasingly likely that will remain the case for the trip to St Johnstone on Saturday [16 September] at the very least.
Graham Potter and John Eustace have been linked with the job over the past week or so, but Beale remains at the Ibrox helm for the time being.
The Gers are entering a crucial period of seven games in less than a month ahead of the next international break, meaning it is make or break time for Beale.
Defeat at McDiarmid Park this coming weekend will surely be the end game for Beale.
A victory in that game, though, and Rangers then have a run of four home games in three competitions to truly kick-start their season.
Whatever happens, Beale’s future will become a lot clearer over the next couple of weeks.
In other Rangers news, a player at the centre of a transfer saga this summer may now be regretting his decision.