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Journalist makes 'bang to rights' claim over Michael Beale promise at Rangers
Michael Beale’s promise to take the “handbrake off” is “coming to bite” at Rangers, says Daily Record journalist Graeme Young.
Writing for the paper’s website on Monday (25 September), Young highlighted eight things that are going wrong for Beale, who saw his side booed off against Motherwell on Sunday (24 September) despite a 1-0 win making it three victories in a row.
When taking over the role from Giovani van Bronckhorst in November 2022, Beale made a promise that his side would be on the front foot in terms of their attacking play.
As quoted by the Daily Record (28 November), Beale said: “I want us to be on the front foot. I want us to take the handbrake off and I want us to go for it every single week. I think that’s what makes this crowd excited and that’s the most important thing.”
Young says it is that assertion that is currently hurting Beale amid a run of performances that have left a lot to be desired from an attacking standpoint.
“Beale’s soundbites have slowed in recent months but a proclamation made in his introductory press conference is five words he is now unable to escape from,” he wrote.
“The Londoner promised to remove the handbrake and that singular guarantee is coming to bite now. Beale would likely offer a robust defence to many of the growing grumps within the Ibrox support but he is bang to rights over his automotive-themed assurance.
“Rangers have been a hard watch at times this season and the verve and swagger promised, in terms of style of play, remains missing. Sunday was a rudderless effort from the home team and their followers let them know it.”
Time to follow through with the promise
When you make such a bold promise you had better make sure that you deliver on it.
And no one can really make an argument to say Beale has delivered on it. The Gers have nine goals from six Scottish Premiership games and have been far from great entertainers.
Part of that can probably be put down to Beale flittering between systems. He has recently gone back to utilising wingers but he does not have a great deal of them available in this squad, especially with Ryan Kent having left.
Cyriel Dessers, Danilo, and Sam Lammers were all signed as part of a heavy recruitment drive during the summer but the forward line is still yet to fully click into gear.
Between them, they have just four Premiership goals this season, albeit Danilo had scored against St Johnstone on September 16 but broke his cheekbone in the process of doing so.
But there is little hiding place for Beale, he needs to get his forwards firing, and he needs – in his own words – to let the handbrake off.
In other Rangers news, Chris Jack has shared a “significant” Gers admission.