Michael Beale will warn his Rangers stars to be on red alert against Celtic as they can’t afford to get caught cold. The Ibrox gaffer knows the Hoops don’t give rivals a minute’s peace on the pitch and his men will need to be fully focused for 90 minutes as they look to fight their way back in to the Premiership title race.
Beale is convinced his side can get at Celts – but there can be no napping on the job like the 4-0 defeat at Parkhead earlier in the season. He said: “It is dangerous, isn’t it? If you switch off at set plays and things like that. It is dangerous because they will look to play quickly. Celtic themselves got done with a goal recently, I think at Motherwell, when they switched off.
“It is about when the ball goes dead, people don’t switch off. It is important we stay alert because maybe a couple of goals in that game could have been avoided. It is important in these games that you don’t give anything away cheaply. If the other team is going to hurt you, they have to have earned it.”
Beale was QPR boss when Gers were turned over in the East End of Glasgow in September. But he tuned in and he’s determined to avoid similar mistakes.
Beale was involved in 13 Old Firm games as part of Steven Gerrard’s coaching staff and he knows these clashes hinge on key moments. He said: “I watched it (the 4-0 game) live.
"We had a game later that afternoon, so I watched it, kicking every ball. Obviously very frustrated that day with the outcome.
“The key moments went against Rangers. I remember late last season Fashion Sakala going through one-on-one in the 85th minute and if that had gone in, history could have been slightly different. It didn’t, and obviously since then Celtic have had the upper hand.
“That came after Rangers winning a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic so it isn’t too long ago these two squads played and Rangers got the upper hand. I do think, at the moment – and you know what I’m going to say – they are the favourites, they are the team with the rhythm, they are the team with no injuries, they are the team in best form. OK then, it’s an opportunity.”
Beale was part of a Gers staff who won eight out of 13 derby showdowns, with four defeats and one draw, and he’s hoping for a fast start today to turn back time and regain the upper hand again. He said: “Our record was very, very good over the piece.
“I don’t think many managers had a better one, maybe one or two. We had some really dark days and some fantastic days and even when we played well, we lost a cup final when we were clearly the stronger team.
“I know these games are just about the final result and not really about what happens in-between. We have to start well in the game because in the last couple, certainly away from home, we haven’t. We have to match it all the way through. They will get a feel of my body language, for sure.
“The experience of me having dealt with the games and understanding what they day is all about will hopefully be something of a positive. I’m going to pick an experienced team and I’m going to pick a team to win the game.
"So hopefully that excites them and motivates them to go and be the best version of themselves. Anything less than that then it won’t be enough.”
Beale knows the heat is on but he admitted it will be a special moment to lead out Rangers in a derby clash as manager. He said: “Do you know what, when I was here previously I took it on with the rest of the coaching team like we were a band of brothers.
“That is how I am with my staff now. It is a fantastic achievement. The last 12 months I’ve experienced a lot – I’ve been assistant manager in the Premier League, been a manager in the Championship and now I’m a manager back in Scotland.
“One thing is for sure, I’ve got to stay in one place a little bit longer than I have in 2022. No, I’m looking forward to it.
"This week is a big week for me, my family has come back to live up here, which is great, the kids go back to school, and this game being now is really special. See me on the first of February and see how I’m looking then.”
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