Pete Hanson

Sat 16 September 2023 10:10, UK

Michael Beale should follow the lead of Steven Gerrard and consult with former Rangers managers to help get him back on track at Ibrox, according to former skipper Barry Ferguson.

The pressure cooker on Beale has cranked up significantly after Rangers lost the first Old Firm derby of the season to Celtic prior to the international break on the back of a woeful collapse to PSV in the Champions League playoff round.

Beale was assistant to Gerrard when Rangers last won the Scottish Premiership in 2021, and the former Liverpool skipper has spoken in the past of his useful chats with the late, great Walter Smith.

Ferguson said Beale should think about doing the same with the likes of Alex McLeish, Graeme Souness and Dick Advocaat.

Writing in the Daily Record on Friday (September 15), Ferguson wrote: “Steven Gerrard was one of the biggest names in football yet when he was in charge at Rangers, he saw the benefit in sitting down and listening to Walter Smith’s words of wisdom.

“The former England captain himself has spoken warmly about just how useful those chats were as he took his first steps in management in the uniquely pressurised corridors of Ibrox. Sadly the great man is no longer here to pass on his years of experience to the man now sitting in his old hotseat.

“But it may be a good idea for Michael Beale to search out another of the club’s elder statesmen for some advice as he negotiates the most perilous period of his Gers reign so far. He’ll be the man who decides whether to make that call or not. But be it Graeme Souness, Dick Advocaat or Alex McLeish, I’m sure they’d all have plenty of useful things to say on how they coped when the pressure was on and the flak was flying.”

Why not?

At this juncture, Michael Beale should be open to the idea of taking any help or advice that comes his way.

If someone like Steven Gerrard, a fierce leader during his playing days, can see the benefit of leaning on elder statesmen to get the best out of himself and Rangers, then Beale should certainly be considering it as an avenue.

There is absolutely no denying the fact that Beale is in the last chance saloon. If Rangers do not get a win at bottom-of-the-table St Johnstone on Saturday (16 September) then it is hard to imagine he avoids getting the sack.

If they can get the three points today, regardless of how it comes, then he may earn a stay of execution. And if he does then he should be straight on the phone to the likes of McLeish, Souness and Advocaat to pick their brains and ask for advice on how to get out of this rut.

This season is far from finished for Rangers, but to be four points behind Celtic already means there can be room for error and Beale has to be willing to try anything this point.

In other Rangers news, the pressure has intensified on Sam Lammers after Todd Cantwell’s injury.