Given the role he played in Rangers’ 55th title win, Michael Beale is part of history at Ibrox. As Steven Gerrard’s assistant in 2021, he helped take the club back to the top of the Scottish game – and end Celtic’s bid for 10-in-a-row.
But now, as Gers’ current gaffer, Beale isn’t interested in the past. In the present, of course, he’s still got a Scottish Cup to try and win – with Raith Rovers in Govan this afternoon for a quarter-final.
But within himself, Beale will have accepted that the Premiership title is destined for Parkhead again. You now get the feeling that every single thing he says and does is geared towards the future. And one of the most significant summers Rangers have ever had. Whether it’s recruitment, style, squad size or system, Beale is ready to change the lot. Right now, he can’t talk too much about it.
He’s got players who won’t be part of the plans next term but he still needs a tune out of them now. The group’s core has barely changed since Beale first walked through the door with Gerrard five years ago.
And for Rangers to go and properly challenge Celtic for the title next season, that can’t go on. Beale knows it and, by the sounds of it, he’s ready to be ruthless in a bid to ensure certain failings aren’t repeated.
Asked if he could sense his squad were mentally scarred by relinquishing the title to Ange Postecoglou’s side – as well as taking severe beatings in the Champions League – Beale said: “It was a strange one because the form, both in Europe and domestically, had been strong for a long time. But this group of players could certainly have won more trophies.
“When you’re managing 35 players and overseeing 30 staff, it’s difficult because how everyone sees it is different. But now, it’s about trying to bring everyone together with clarity and cohesion in the way we think and where we’re going to go.
“We need to cut the cord from the past. There have been some deja vu moments recently because it’s me coaching the team.
“We’ve had some issues that we had before when I was here, at the same stage when we were building. So we’re cutting from the past and moving in a different direction in terms of the way we play.
“We’re also moving in a different direction and recruiting new players into that. A lot of people have done a lot of good things here over the last few years.
“But the club needs to move forward now. This game doesn’t wait for anyone. That’s what the coming months are about.
“The period between me coming in and the end of this season allows me to decide exactly what I want to do. I have my eyes on a lot of players but I have to make sure the balance fits right.
“When I was speaking to Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell in January, it took a long time for me to make sure they’d fit in here.
“Where would they fit in? Where would they play? When I came back to the club, I had to see the group I was inheriting first.
“But I’ve always said there will be a 25 per cent turnover, naturally, in the next window. Then if we decide to sell one or two, we’ll replace them like-for-like in terms of position. I don’t want to put a number on it.
“But this is a significant summer for the club – everyone can see what is required. It’s about reducing the squad size and upscaling in quality.”
It’s a guessing game right now in terms of who from Beale’s current pool of players will be here for pre-season. From then outside, it appears that he’s keen for both Ryan Kent and Ryan Jack to sign new contracts.
The same can’t be said for striker Alfredo Morelos and injury-hit Filip Helander. While veterans Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield also look to be on their way out.
But if Beale is to implement tangible change, he has decisions to make on certain players still IN contract – like out-of-form Rabbi Matondo and particularly Glen Kamara. The Finn, once valued at around £10-15million by the club, doesn’t look happy and is now out of the team.
Beale says: “Changes of managers, a change of ideas and changes of shape will move the goalposts for every player. Glen has had a lot of people interested in him.
“There’s always been something in the background with him, in terms of, could there be a bid for him? With what we paid for him (£50k) and where bids were maybe at, it was always interesting.
“He was essential to the way we played when I was here previously. And since I’ve been back, he’s had some big performances.
“Even in the last month, he was outstanding away to Hearts playing with John Lundstram and Malik Tillman. Away at Livingston, he was with Nico and Todd in a different role and he played well.
“But like the team, he fell below the levels against Celtic (in the Viaplay Cup Final defeat). We changed the midfield for the next game. Those three midfielders (Lundstram, Kamara, Tillman) are now out of the team and the other three (Jack, Raskin, Cantwell) are in because they’re playing well.
“I’m sure Glen will come again and he’s a boy I’m close to. There are no issues about how he’s training or how he is around the building. But, like every player this month, he’s had a bit more scrutiny on him.”
There is also pressure on Beale to deliver silverware and he knows it – especially after that League Cup loss to Celtic at Hampden. Rangers claim to be the world’s most successful club with 117 major trophies to their name. But that’s under threat now from their Old Firm rivals who are catching up on 114.
Ahead of today’s cup tie against Raith Rovers, he says he’s aware that winning is all that counts at Ibrox. He said: “We play for Rangers. Things are on the wall here but they’re only important if you keep on winning.
“There will always be outside noise, something in the background. But the most important thing is that we win the trophy in front of us. Then other things will take care of themselves.”
READ NEXT
