Rangers boss Michael Beale appeared to land a blow on Giovanni van Bronckhorst with this latest Celtic comments.
Beale was speaking ahead of the Ibrox side’s trip to Celtic Park, where they must overcome a mental block to defeat their Old Firm rivals.
Rangers look a timid outfit when it comes to Celtic and it’s raised plenty of questions about the mentality of several in this squad who continue to stumble against the Parkhead side.
But Michael Beale suggested that there has been a dip in mentality when it comes to Celtic ever since he left Rangers with Steven Gerrard in 2021.
The former Ibrox assistant claims the Rangers squad’s mentality when it comes to the fixture is fundamentally different to the one he left behind.
Michael Beale claims he “inherited” timid Rangers from Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Whilst he didn’t mention Giovanni van Bronckhorst, it’s not so hard to read between the lines and Michael Beale claimed that there needs to be an improvement in mentality when it comes to Celtic.
“It’s important we start well,” said Beale.
“We’re going away with no fans. We need to be strong and win the duels.
“We were too slow in both games, that’s not the Rangers in this fixture that I remember but it’s the one I’ve inherited.
“It’s important we show a different face for sure. We have to start big games stronger.
“It’s a different manager now with some different players coming into this game for the first time and we’re in a rich vein of form.
“There’s no reason we wouldn’t put a stronger performance in on the back of that.
“We come off the back of 10 consecutive league wins, that’s not by coincidence it’s because we’re playing very well.
“All I’ve asked the players is to bring the best version of themselves to the game.”
Giovanni van Bronckhorst suffered routine humiliation at Celtic Park as Rangers manager and Michael Beale must amend that.
The Dutchman lost 3-0 after the domestic shutdown last season in a game which surrendered the grip on the title to Parkhead.
Gio also seen his side humiliated at the start of this season, the 4-0 defeat a moment which many believe should have seen the coach sacked earlier.
The ex-Feyenoord also managed a 1-1 dead rubber draw, with Fashion Sakala scoring the goal.