When Michael Beale left Glasgow a year ago Rangers were the city’s top dogs. They were reigning Premiership champions and at the league’s summit.
They’d already beaten Ange Postecoglou’s new-look Celtic 1-0 at Ibrox thanks to a Filip Helander header. But following his departure, along with manager Steven Gerrard, to Aston Villa, domestically at least - Rangers capitulated. And since their oldest rivals took over, they haven’t looked back.
Rangers are now the ones doing the chasing. And as Gers’ new gaffer, it’s his job to catch them up. Instead of being top dogs - they’re the underdogs. Certainly, when it comes to trying to claw their way back into this season’s title race. The Ibrox side have lost four of the five Old Firm derbies since Beale left, conceding 10 goals in the process. For the last one - a 4-0 hammering at Parkhead - even as QPR boss, he winced at the highlights.
