Rangers: BBC Scotland pundit shares fresh Michael Beale sack verdict at Ibrox live on radio
Former Rangers captain Lee McCulloch believes the 1-0 win over Real Betis “could be the turning point” for Michael Beale at Ibrox.
Abdallah Sima scored the only goal as the Gers got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start on home soil on Thursday [21 September].
The pressure has been building on Beale, but McCulloch – who offered his backing to the Englishman at his lowest point – believes that may now change.
“This could be the turning point for him,” he told BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound [21 September].
“He’ll be the happiest person in this stadium. He’ll have been feeling the pressure, hearing all the noise.”
Keep it going
Whether or not this is truly a turning point remains to be seen.
Many would have been glad to see the back of Beale following the defeats to PSV and Celtic prior to the international break.
All Beale could do from that point was win matches, and in fairness that is exactly what he is doing.
The Gers claimed a rather routine 2-0 win at St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership last weekend and followed that up with victory over Betis.
Defeating one of LaLiga’s top clubs is quite the statement and sets Rangers on their way to potentially another memorable European campaign.
Beale will know better than anyone, though, that another negative result will lead to fresh questions over his future.
In that case, only a league win over Aberdeen at Ibrox on Sunday [24 September] will suffice.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist hit out at a player for his “embarrassing actions” in the Real Betis match.