New Rangers boss Michael Beale is out of make a name for himself at Ibrox but he’s been given some top billing to live up to.
One Hotline punter reckons the new man in charge in Govan can follow a similar path to the greatest gaffer to sit in the hottest. Jimmy Strangers, Tranent, said: “To all the Hotliners out there who doubt Michael Beale do you remember a certain Walter Smith? Walter lacked managerial experience when Graeme Souness brought him to Ibrox and look what he went on to do. Michael – like Walter – was the brains in his partnership so it could be another amazing run is on the cards.”
Speaking of Smith, there was another comparison suggested. Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny , said: “Beale needs a decent no. 2 to prove the doubters wrong. David Martindale manager of Livingston is a must, like Souness did in bringing in Walter Smith these two can bring back the glory years.” There was plenty of advice for the Rangers boss. Neil Renton, Edinburgh , said: “If I was a Rangers fan I’d already be sceptical about Beale. He states he wants to keep Alfredo Morelos at the Ibrox club. The striker is more of a hindrance than a help to the club and should be shipped off as soon as the transfer window opens.”
But Rangers fans seem happy in general as John Bruce emailed: “Continued failure in Europe may be acceptable for other clubs and their managers, but not for Rangers. At Ibrox, Michael Beale has experienced successful runs in Europe and a historic title win, so Rangers fans can have every confidence in him continuing this form in his new role as manager.”
But Jim McClean, Isle of Bute, sad: “Beale say he has sympathy for Gio van Bronckhorst, but where was his sympathy when he was sitting in the stand at the Aberdeen game like a vulture waiting to pounce on his job? Don’t make me laugh.”
Paddy Gowans, via email, said: “Rangers would be better with Ian Beale from Eastenders. They are both all mouth and aren't big enough to back it up.”
Elsewhere, here’s another big idea for the early risers. Carl McCoy, Paisley, said: “One thing I have enjoyed about this World Cup has been the 10am games in the group stage. Perhaps this is something the Scottish game should trial and give some exposure to lower league games that would have reduced crowds anyway.”
Might need to swap the pies and bovril for cups or tea and rolls and bacon. Anyway, Gordon Black, Bonnybridge , “It's a measure of how underwhelming the World Cup appears to have been so far that the majority of the comments in Hotline each day continue to be about Scottish football, despite the Premiership being in hibernation for a month.”
The man has a point, likewise caller Robert Livingston, Palm Beach , who said: “It’s sad to hear Pele is in hospital. I'm sure all lovers of the beautiful game wish him well. The greatest player ever, for the lucky ones who saw him play he was awesome like watching a magician performing with a football. One of a kind.”
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