Michael Beale sends message to Rangers staff as he’s linked with Stoke City manager job

Michael Beale took to Instagram to congratulate Rangers' players and staff for their victory against Real Betis amid talks with Championship outfit Stoke City.

The Telegraph's John Percy reported on Wednesday (13 December) that the Potters have held talks with the former Rangers manager, as well as several other candidates but the club are in the early stages of making a decision.

The 43-year-old, who was sacked earlier this season by the Gers, congratulated the club for their positive result in the Europa League on Thursday night as they reached the knockout stages as Group C winners.

Posting Rangers' full-time graphic on his story, Beale accompanied it with a message: "Outstanding from the players & staff - well done Rangers FC. Fantastic performance."

A nice touch

Beale was sacked at the beginning of October after a 3-1 loss to Aberdeen, forming a record of eight wins, two draws and four losses in all competitions this season.

Knocked out of the Champions League qualification rounds and seven points adrift of the top of the Scottish Premiership this season, he was released despite a four-game winning streak going into the Aberdeen defeat.

It was the manner of the defeats during the opening to the campaign, rather than the defeats themselves. After spending big in the summer transfer window, there were high expectations but Rangers succumbed to Europa League football.

But his post on Instagram on Thursday night is only a testament to the man he is, allowing there to be a happy ending between the two parties despite the rough ending to his tenure.

And it may only be a matter of time until Beale is back in the managerial seat at a club, with Stoke interested in his services as they look to avoid relegation to League One.

In other Rangers news, Andy Halliday has urged Clement to axe Ridvan Yilmaz for the Viaplay Cup final at Hampden.