Rangers: Keith Jackson shares Michael Beale apology verdict at Ibrox
Keith Jackson has delivered his verdict on whether Michael Beale deserves an apology after bringing some of Rangers’ stars to Ibrox during the summer transfer window.
Jack Butland, Cyriel Dessers, Abdallah Sima and Dujon Sterling were all summer additions at Ibrox, brought to the club by Beale, but the handful of players failed to make the desired impact under him.
However, they have all shone since Philippe Clement arrived at the club in October, playing key roles in Rangers toppling Old Firm rivals Celtic from their spot at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Writing in the Daily Record on Monday (26 February, page 39), he said: “Let’s not forget the likes of Sam Lammers and Kieran Dowell. Beale couldn’t get the best out of any of them and wasn’t giving Sterling a sniff. All of which is on him.
“Beale might have brought the players to the club but it’s all credit to Clement for getting them firing.”
Does Michael Beale deserve an apology from Rangers?
No, is the short answer. Beale could be thanked for bringing these players to Ibrox, with many of them playing a major role in, what is so far, a successful season under Clement.
The stars in question, though, have really only come alive under the current Belgian manager, showing just how vital it was to make a change.
Since his sacking in October, Beale has highlighted exactly what kind of manager he is, also being shown the exit from the Stadium of Light after just three months at Sunderland, losing seven of his 13 matches in charge and angering the Black Cat fans.
Clement has done a brilliant job since taking over the reins at Ibrox, getting the most out of the same players and making them seem like brand-new signings.
Dessers is the perfect example of this. The Nigerian forward looked to be a waste of £4.5million, as per The Scotsman, but has sparked into life under Clement and now has 12 goals in 24 league appearances this season.
Any manager can splash the cash and bring players to a club, but only specific managers can bring the absolute best out of them and make them fire on all cylinders.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has apologised for losing his rag in a fury at an unpopular Ibrox figure this season.
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