Celtic hero Chris Sutton has branded the Viaplay Cup final vital for Michael Beale to avoid creating "doubt" in Rangers fans’ minds over the boss.
The Londoner will have his first shot at silverware since taking over the hotseat from Gio van Bronckhorst when he arrives at Hampden on Sunday to face off against Ange Postecoglou's Scottish Premiership leaders, having steering the Ibrox side to an unbeaten run since succeeding the Dutchman. Beale has the chance to secure a landmark victory and plant a seed of doubt in the minds of the runaway leaders as Rangers look to claw back Celtic's nine point advantage.
But the Parkhead hero – speaking on the Record Celtic Podcast – insists the showpiece final at the national stadium will have no impact on the charge to the title, but could have a major effect on Beale's standing among the Ibrox fans. Sutton, who has been involved in a public spat with the Ibrox boss, reckons Beale must claim silverware early in his tenure to avoid 'doubt" creeping in over his ability to challenge the Hoops.
Sutton said: "I think for Michael Beale it's not necessarily a must-win but look at it this way. If Ange Postecoglou and Celtic don't win the game, Celtic fans will be disappointed, of course they will, but there will still be that element of total trust in Postecoglou. If Rangers lose the game will there be the same faith in Michael Beale?
"Who has come in and had plenty to say but hasn't backed it up with the trophy? So that's his issue. It's a one off game, and you could argue if Rangers win the game and Celtic lose the game, I mean they (Celtic) are not going to try any harder, but they will really have to focus and use that as a tool to get them over the line."
Pressed on if it was too harsh to say fans would lose faith in Beale already, Sutton went on: "I think there would be a little bit of doubt because Celtic are the acid test, aren't they? That's just the way it is. We all know the Glasgow environment.
"What was important for Ange Postecoglou last season then? This is such an important thing, getting that first trophy under your belt.The point I am making is that Michael Beale has only been there a short space of time, it's not fair to judge him on a one off final. It is not and his record has been excellent. But you can't tell me that (when) there are three trophies up for grabs this season; you can't tell me that if Rangers lose that game then the pressure won't intensify.
"This isn't Michael Beale's team as he wants it and he will add in the summer, but it does add a little bit more pressure and a little bit more doubt. The point I am making is that Ange Postecoglou has been in for 20 months and since he has been in Celtic have won a League Cup, a title and they are ahead in the league this season.
"But the most important thing is that Celtic fans have total faith in Ange Postecoglou. Rangers fans over a very short period would have faith in terms of what Michael Beale has achieved so far, but if they don't get over the line in this cup competition and win the Viaplay Cup there will be Rangers fans (doubting him).
"Look you judge Michael Beale over a season or two seasons, but until he wins a trophy there will always be those doubts. He had a short spell at QPR and started brilliantly and in the end the wheels came off a little bit.
"And at Rangers there will be those doubts because he is a rookie manager in terms of managing a club the size of Rangers. That doesn't mean he can't achieve great things because he is clearly a talented coach but you have to prove yourself. In many respects it's a must-win for Michael Beale."
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