Cheeky Kris Boyd has claimed that Queens Park Rangers' slump in form before the World Cup break is because Michael Beale had 'one eye' on a move to Rangers.
Beale has made an emotional return to the club where he lifted the Scottish Premiership title alongside Steven Gerrard to become the club's 18th permanent manager little more than one year after leaving Ibrox. The 42-year-old has left QPR after just six months to become Light Blues boss, signing a three-and-a-half year deal, but the decision has left the Loftus Road faithful fuming.
Beale had remained loyal to the London-based side less than a month ago as he turned down an approach from English Premier League side Wolves. The decision was lauded by the QPR fans and management at the time but they struggled for form following the call and dropped to seventh in the table. Now a return to Rangers as Gio van Bronckhorst's successor proved too tempting to turn down for the Englishman.
When asked on Sky Sports News about QPR supports being 'up in arms' Boyd couldn't resist a cheeky smirk down the camera lens. He took aim at the English second tier side as he claimed the move had been in the works since Beale's visit to Ibrox to watch the game against Aberdeen.
Boyd said: "Every appointment is a gamble or a risk, whatever way you want to look at it. He has only had 20 odd games as a manager but he has been involved in football for a long, long time.
"He has coached in different countries, but it brings it's own risk when you go out on your own. I'm sure QPR fans would have been saying the same things in the summer.
"He has never been a manager before, it's a risk, and taking over from Mark Warburton with the job he has done. But he went in there and started the season really well, albeit the last few games it's not been.
"I think there has probably been other things on Mick Beale's mind. He was up at Ibrox a couple of weeks ago.
"He has probably had one eye on this. I know he has been very vocal on why he turned down Wolves, but Rangers is a special football club. It plays with your heart strings, and he feels as if he can go and turn it around."
READ NEXT
