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Michael Beale insists his Rangers job is not in peril

Michael Beale insists his Rangers job is not in peril
© Reuters
Rangers head coach Michael Beale plays down speculation over his future at the club and believes that he has assurances over his position at Ibrox.

Rangers head coach Michael Beale has played down speculation over his future at the club and believes that he has assurances over his position at Ibrox.

After working under former Gers boss Steven Gerrard as his assistant and then spending a brief period in charge of Queens Park Rangers, Beale returned to the blue side of Glasgow to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst as head coach in November last year.

The 43-year-old won 22 of his first 28 matches in charge of Rangers across all tournaments last season, but the Gers ultimately ended the campaign trophyless and finished second in the Scottish Premiership behind champions and Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Beale has since overseen a significant overhaul of the first-team squad over the summer, with nine players arriving at Ibrox for around £15m and 14 players leaving the club either on a permanent basis or on loan.

However, Rangers have endured a below-par start to the new campaign, losing two of their first four Premiership games as well as crashing out in the qualification stages of the Champions League, subsequently dropping down into the Europa League group stage.

Rangers manager Michael Beale pictured on September 3, 2023© Reuters

With the pressure mounting on Beale to turn the club's fortunes around, former Chelsea boss Graham Potter and current Birmingham City coach John Eustace have both been linked with the Rangers job.

However, Potter has allegedly turned down the chance to take charge of the Gers, while Eustace has taken to the media to dismiss himself from links with the Ibrox hotseat.

Beale, who still has three years remaining on his contract in Glasgow, has insisted that he is "part of a plan" at Rangers and believes that he still has the support of the club's hierarchy.

"A football manager needs to win games of football," Beale told reporters on Friday as quoted by BBC Sport. "The last two we didn't win so we need to get back to winning. Right now the team need to show stronger performances."

"Naturally, I speak to [chief executive] James Bisgrove every day. I speak to [chairman] John Bennett and other members of the board at least two or three times a week as normal. Nothing has changed in that respect.

"I don't need assurances. I'm part of a plan in terms of where we're going as a club. It's something I'm fully aware and involved in."

Rangers' manager Michael Beale on August 9, 2023© Reuters

Asked if he felt that his Rangers job was in peril, Beale replied: "No, listen I'm disappointed with the results, just like everybody else.

"This year is about picking up silverware. It's very early into the season, there's been a lot of change around me. We've not started the season how we all wanted but there's a lot of football to be played.

"[The supporters are] sharing their frustration. It was heard loud and clear. I don't think there's much time for talking now, we need to make it up to them on the pitch in performances and results. Fans are sharing their frustration and anxiety at the way the start of the season has gone. That's quite natural.

"Fans have shown a frustration towards myself, that's fair. They've shown a frustration towards the players as well. None of us are really in a lot of credit at the moment.

"I was fully aware of what I was getting myself involved in. I understand Glasgow and how it works. I can't affect the background noise I've just got to get on with my job day in day out. I'm really comfortable. Reporters and journalists are going to ask managers questions. I can't help that."

After losing 1-0 to rivals Celtic before the international break, Rangers will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to basement club St Johnstone in the Premiership on Saturday lunchtime.

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Written by
Oliver Thomas

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Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during draw with Nottingham Forest on January 1, 2023.
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1614204444044
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd176742519625
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Hearts1844102027-716
11Ross County183691435-2115
12St Johnstone1842122134-1314


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