MICHAEL BEALE admits that his Rangers side must be quick out of the traps at Ibrox this afternoon as the Englishman prepares for his first Old Firm derby as manager of the Govan club.
Celtic currently boast a nine-point lead in the race for the cinch Premiership and victory in Glasgow’s south side today would leave their rivals’ title hopes dangling by a thread.
Having previously experienced derby day in Glasgow as a key member of Steven Gerrard’s backroom team when the Liverpool great was in charge of the club, Beale is perfectly aware of the challenges that await this lunchtime – and he hopes his knowledge of past encounters will prove useful once the game gets under way.
“We [Beale and Gerrard] had some really dark days and some fantastic days and even when we played well, we lost a cup final when we were clearly the stronger team,” Beale recalled. “I know these games are just about the final result and not really about what happens in between.
“We have to start well in the game because in the last couple, certainly away from home, we haven’t. We have to match it all the way through. They will get a feel off my body language, for sure.
“The experience of me having dealt with the games and understanding what they day is all about will hopefully be something of a positive.
“I’m going to pick an experienced team and I’m going to pick a team to win the game. So hopefully that excites them and motivates them to go and be the best version of themselves. Anything less than that then it won’t be enough.”
Beale will be feeling proud as he stands on the sidelines at Ibrox today. The opportunity to lead a team in one of Britain’s biggest derbies is an enticing one for the Englishman and he is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against his opposite number Ange Postecoglou.
It caps a remarkable year or so for Beale. He departed Rangers with Gerrard in November 2021 to serve as the former England internationalist’s assistant at Aston Villa before landing his first management role at Queens Park Rangers in the summer. When Giovanni van Bronckhorst vacated the Ibrox hot-seat a little over a month ago, Beale returned to Glasgow and he is now looking forward to staying put for the foreseeable.
A big January awaits. This afternoon’s derby will be followed by a trip to Tannadice before the Premiership’s winter break. When Rangers return there is the small matter of a Viaplay Cup semi-final against Aberdeen to look forward to, not to mention a visit to McDiarmid Park in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. Throw in the first transfer window with a new manager at the helm and it’s fair to say it could be a fairly decisive few weeks in Glasgow’s south side.
“Do you know what, when I was here previously I took it on with the rest of the coaching team like we were a band of brothers,” Beale said. “That is how I am with my staff now. It is a fantastic achievement.
“The last 12 months I’ve experienced a lot - I’ve been assistant manager in the Premier League, been a manager in the Championship and now I’m a manager back in Scotland. One thing is for sure, I’ve got to stay in one place a little bit longer than I have in 2022! No, I’m looking forward to it.
“This week is a big week for me. My family come back to live up here, which is great, the kids go back to school, and this game being now is really special.
“This month…we go away to Dundee United, we go away to Kilmarnock - you have all written some interesting things about us after we have travelled to those places in recent years - away to St Johnstone in the cup [and a semi-final with Aberdeen].
“It is a great month. See me on the first of February and see how I’m looking then!”
