Michael Beale swept into power at Rangers and told his bowled over squad they’re a bunch of winners. The Englishman became the Ibrox giant’s 18th manager when he signed a three-and-a-half year deal to replace the axed Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Beale spoke to club media upon his unveiling as he pledged to make the players successful again. But Record Sport understands they were left deeply impressed by his vision he laid out to them within the confines of the training centre.
Dressing-room sources have told us he spelt out a three-point plan as the former QPR manager took training for the first time, a session that excited them. Beale is believed to have told the squad he firstly wants them to win – but also with a style that will delight the fans. He also called for them to be united, and ready to take on all-comers. The 42-year-old, who enraged QPR chiefs by quitting for Ibrox, told the club website: “I want to mention Steven (Gerrard) because he’s a great friend.
“The reason I’m back here now is because he brought me to the club in the first instance. He did a fantastic job in that period.
“Gio then came in and won a cup and got to a European final, which was an unbelievable achievement. He took us all on that journey as fans of the club. As followers of the club he greatly excited us all.
“There are a number of players here who were on both those journeys. In the last 18 months we’ve won a league unbeaten, we’ve won a Scottish Cup and we’ve also played in the Europa League Final.
“So this group of players in my eyes are winners. It’s important we continue to win moving forward.”
Beale has moved north with his backroom staff of first-team coaches Damian Matthew, Neil Banfield and Harry Watling. The majority of the Rangers squad, apart from the players who were or are still on international duty, returned for training yesterday.
And the early feedback from a number of the Rangers squad is the new manager’s words have given them a major boost. The Englishman knocked back a move to Premier League Wolves earlier this season to stay at QPR.
He has now been criticised over a perceived lack of loyalty but Beale has insisted Rangers is a job you just can’t turn down. He said: “If you have an opportunity to come back to Rangers or work for Rangers it’s always the right moment.
“It’s a matter of being asked. And I’m absolutely delighted to be here.”
Rangers will play a closed door friendly against Swansea City at the weekend and then play Bayer Leverkusen before Beale takes charge competitively for the first time at home to Hibs on December 15. Beale knows he has to hit the ground running as Celtic hold a nine point lead at the top of the Premiership.
Rangers chairman Douglas Park has vowed to support Beale going forward. Park said: “Michael is a very exciting appointment for us, and his energy and ambition stood out.
“The board will support both Michael and Ross Wilson to make this appointment a success. I wish him the very best going forward.”
Sporting director Ross Wilson added: “He (Michael) has a clear plan and will get to work with the group straight away along with the technical and support staff.”
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