Michael Beale was seen as the quiet man in the background during the early days of the Steven Gerrard Rangers era. A tactician who was the brains of the operation alongside the bigger personalities of Gerrard and fellow playing legend Gary McAllister.
Gerrard was the motivator having possessed all the characteristics to rally a dressing room from his years as an inspirational captain at Liverpool and England. McAllister also wore the armband for club and country during a glittering player career.
But it soon became clear that while softly spoken south Londoner Beale might be more measured he isn’t short on passion. And it all spilled over in none other that a trip to Celtic when emotions often run high. The then Ibrox first team coach – on the brink of returning to Govan as Gers boss – was involved in angry confrontation with Hoops counterpart John Kennedy during an incident-packed 2-1 win for the Light Blues at Parkhead, the first win for Gers at the home of their bitter rivals in almost a decade.
