Michael Beale has learned quickly that dealing with outspoken opinions from former players and coaches is one of the many hazards that come with the Rangers job.
He’s had a couple to sidestep already this week. First there was Craig Levein insisting it’s time the Old Firm did the rest of Scottish football a favour and cleared off to England. Ibrox legend Mark Hateley warned Beale he risks triggering a “tsunami” of pressure if he can’t find a way to hold back the green and white tide roaring towards another Treble.
He wouldn’t be the first Light Blues boss to fall victim to such pitfalls. Pedro Caixinha ended up barking about caravans as the critics lined up before his failure to rein in top dogs Celtic cost him his job. Gio van Bronckhorst took a more diplomatic approach when it came to dealing with those sniping from the sidelines but, again, it was ultimately his failure to negotiate a way past Ange Postecoglou’s side that did for the Dutchman.
