Hugh Keevins shares what Michael Beale ‘should ditch’ after Rangers victory v St Johnstone
Michael Beale “should ditch” his Rangers analysis department advice in favour of the “men, women and children” that populate Ibrox, according to Hugh Keevins.
Writing in the Daily Record (17 September), Keevins claimed the opinions of Rangers fans are more important than Beale’s analysis department amid growing discontent aimed at him.
Beale secured a vital win away to St Johnstone on Saturday (16 September), but Keevins points to Rangers’ upcoming Europa League clash against Real Betis as “the most accurate barometer” of an uptick in performances.
Keevins said: “Michael should ditch all that stuff about Rangers’ analysis department telling him it’s a good sign when the team has the least XG against record. Whatever that means. The only analysis department he has to deal with is formed of men, women and children seated in four stands inside his home ground.
“And the European tie against Real Betis this week will provide the most accurate barometer of which way the wind is blowing. If he wins it’ll be calm. Until the next time. Anything else and the jury may retire to consider their verdict of guilty. Put that in your data base and remember it.”
Plenty to come
Rangers needed that victory at McDiarmid Park, and a mostly convincing display patted down the growing fire underneath Beale.
While it’s inadvisable to start taking in-game counsel from fans in the terraces of Ibrox, Keevins’ notion here is correct. The football needs to get better on the pitch, and a single victory against a winless St Johnstone side will only paper the cracks for so long.
There is plenty to do before Beale can win the fans over again, and Keevins suggests the Real Betis clash will be the best indicator as to whether things have actually changed behind the scenes.
Betis, sitting comfortably in ninth place in La Liga, could be the toughest side Rangers have faced all season. While Celtic and PSV were tough, Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be the biggest challenge yet with the likes of Isco, Hector Bellerin and Nabil Fekir populating the squad.
Off the back of a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona in the Spanish top flight, Betis will be eager to bounce back with a strong European opener, and Rangers could be easy pray.
Rangers will have the home support on their side on Thursday (21 September), but Beale will hope to change the record of the Ibrox faithful and not have a repeat of the boos after the Old Firm defeat.
Another high-pressure clash awaits Beale in midweek, and he needs to pass this test if he wants to keep the fire down.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit was wowed by an “unbelievable” moment against St Johnstone.