Mark Hateley has warned Michael Beale defeat to Celtic in the next Old Firm showdown could trigger a TSUNAMI of pressure in the final two derby games of the season, including the all-important Scottish Cup semi-final clash at Hampden.
The Ibrox side are without a win in four against the Hoops with Beale drawing one and losing the Viaplay Cup final last month. Hateley knows, with Rangers trailing their rivals by nine points in the league, that his fellow Englishman faces a huge Old Firm trilogy starting with a daunting trip to Parkhead before the last four clash on April 29/30 as they look to defend their Scottish Cup.
Hateley told Grosvenor Sport: “Michael [Beale] is a smart guy. He knows the demands and expectations. He came in knowing there were nine players out of contract so he will have been working immediately on replacing the ones that he won’t keep. However, he has to keep getting performances and victories out of players that won’t be here next season and he has been managing to do that. But he has to find a way to get a win against Celtic.
"If he loses the league match on April 8, the tsunami will only get closer and closer until it comes crashing down – but that’s what being at Rangers is all about. You have to handle that pressure.
“Of course, if Rangers can finish the season strongly, win the semi-final and lift the Cup it will be a huge springboard for next season. Lose, and the opposite is true as Celtic will be strolling to a Treble. You have to beat the best no matter what round it is and Celtic have proven to be the best on all fronts this season.
“There could be three Old Firm games in four weeks with the Parkhead league match on April 8, the semi probably on April 30 and the first post-split game could be the Ibrox league game. There is pressure on everyone at the club from Michael Beale to Ross Wilson and the board. The fans are demanding that they show they can beat Celtic and given that they are over the horizon in terms of the title, the Scottish Cup is massive for Rangers.”
Alfredo Morelos could lead an Ibrox exodus next season with the Colombian striker having failed to agree a new deal and Ryan Kent in the same boat while others might be shipped out in a summer of change. But Hateley would unleash the South American against Celtic.
He said: “Many of the players will know where they’re going next season – Alfredo Morelos included – and that’s understandable. However, you have to play every game for Rangers as if it’s your last. They have to be totally professional between now and the end of the season.
“Do you want to go out with a legacy? Do you want to be welcomed back to the club in the future with open arms? That is the conversation right now. This is a chance for Alfredo to go out as a hero if he can make the difference in the semi-final and set Rangers up to retain the Cup.
“I would definitely play him in that game. It wasn’t that long again defenders were scared sh*tless of playing against Alfredo. So it’s there, he just needs to apply that now. He can keep the centre-backs occupied, keep them tight together and that allows runners to come through inside the full-backs. That’s what I want Alfredo to do and then the likes of Todd Cantwell or Malik Tillman can get the space they need.
“I remember Johan Cruyff came out with a quote ‘if my centre forward has to run more than 15 metres they must be mad or stupid’ and you know what he means. It’s all about making your mark on a game. I used to do that. Make sure you win your battle. Make sure your opponent knows he can’t switch off for a second.”
