MICHAEL BEALE insists he won't get the time at Ibrox to join the true managerial greats of Rangers as he bids for his first silverware against Celtic.
The Englishman returned to Glasgow in December as the former first team coach quit Queens Park Rangers to succeed Giovanni van Bronckhorst as boss.
Beale was present at the Hall of Fame dinner on Sunday as James Tavernier, Allan McGregor and Steven Davis took their places alongside the finest names in Rangers' illustrious history.
But the chance to make the kind of mark that the likes of Graeme Souness and Walter Smith did at Ibrox is not a driving force for Beale ahead of his Hampden shot at glory.
“It just gets written next to them at the moment, in the history book underneath then that you managed there," Beale said when asked if he was motivated to see his name join the likes of Souness and Smith in Rangers folklore. “But for me to go anywhere near those guys, I don’t think I’ll ever get there.
"What they did for this club will outweigh what someone can do in the future. The game has changed. You don’t stay in one place for so long, you don’t get that time.
“They’re both icons of the club, one followed the other. I’ve met both men. They’re both great men as well.
“I met Big Eck the other day at the Hall of Fame dinner the other day and he’s still as excited and optimistic and passionate about the club. I’m looking forward to him coming in and visiting.
“I saw how Walter was close and giving Steven advice, but he gave me advice as well. It’s their club you’re working at."
Those words from Smith were a source of huge comfort and encouragement to Gerrard during his reign and the former boss paid an emotional tribute to the Ibrox legend when he passed away in October 2021.
Beale also benefitted from the father-figure role that Smith adopted in retirement and the Englishman cherishes the memories and the messages as he now follows in the footsteps of some of the greats of our game.
Beale said: “I think it should stay private but just a real calming influence. He was always there and couldn’t do enough for you.
“Most people that are at ease with themselves are like that in life. People that back themselves, have confidence and experience are willing to give the best advice possible.
“I had that when I was back at Liverpool with people like Kenny Dalglish and people like that. I was very fortunate to have really good mentors around me.
“When I got here and Walter would come in quite a lot. It was lovely to sit and have a cup of tea or coffee in his presence and just listen to the stories.
“I love stories, and they were about what made the club what it is today. That was a real privilege.
“His son, Neil, does my programme notes, so we speak once a week, which is lovely.
“I see his grandchildren when we see the families at games. It’s lovely.
“That’s what it is. The club keep the people who have been good to the club close.
“I think that’s makes a big club. There’s a lot of clubs like that around the world but his is our club, here in Glasgow.
“It’s a special family to be part of and when you leave you respect it even more.
“I say that from experience. Any frustrations I had, over time being away, the positives far outweigh the frustrations you can have from time to time."
Beale made the decision to leave Ibrox alongside Gerrard just months after playing his part in securing a 55th league flag as he moved to Aston Villa.
A short stint at QPR - during which he rejected the chance to become Wolves manager - preceded his return to Rangers and he now has the chance to secure his first winner's medal as a manager.
Beale said: “Listen, at this moment in time this is very much my club. This is where my family want to live, it’s where I’m happiest.
“I had to upset a lot of people to come here and it wasn’t an easy thing to do because I was generally very settled and happy with where I was.
“I want to be here for the foreseeable future. I want to build a strong foundation for the club.
“If I do that, it will build a strong foundation to my own management career. I’m not chasing the Premier League. It’s not something I was chasing.
“I want experiences and having the experience of being the Rangers manager was something I wanted because I get the history and the prestige of this club.
“Then I’ve got some aims in the future to go and work abroad, and to be a head of youth again when I have a few more grey hairs.
“It’s not that I’m clamouring to be a manager in the Premier League.
“It’s possible that I could have maybe had that opportunity but this opportunity far outweighed that for me right now."
