Rangers manager Michael Beale has been talking about the upcoming clash at Celtic Park – but the Ibrox gaffer’s comments hardly inspire confidence in the squad.
The ex-Ibrox assistant knows what it takes to go to Celtic Park and get a win having done so alongside Steven Gerrard in January Old Firm at the end of 2019 with Nikola Katic scoring the winner.
Interestingly, this also came off the back of a League Cup Final defeat to Celtic and Rangers fans are expecting a response this time around.
Ahead of the game, the ongoing situation with Old Firm ticket allocations means there won’t be a bluenose in the stands as 60,000 Celtic fans prepare to unleash hell on the Rangers team.
It’s not like this Rangers side have inspired our confidence in the past, with regular criticisms surrounding the mentality of this team when it comes to going toe-to-toe with our rivals and rising to the occasion with the pressure on.
Michael Beale looks to summer ahead of Celtic clash
Whilst Michael Beale has already given his view on the role of referee Kevin Clancy in the match, the Rangers manager is already looking to the summer.
For a squad of players who’ve struggled to inspire in recent matches against Celtic, Michael Beale claiming that the squad will look “completely different” isn’t exactly the battle cry to get our stuttering stars to stand up.
“I have to tackle each game as it comes,” said Michael Beale.
“The three games [against Celtic] are going to be different. From no away fans to a 50-50 split at Hampden. That’s going to have a difference on everything.
“For us as a team, it’s been a long time since I came in. The last time we lost in the league was the first week in November.
“We’re now into April. It’s been a long time, 20 weeks of good form in the league.
“We just need to keep repeating it. I don’t care if we don’t get any praise from outside, I’ve got to see the progress inside.
“I’ll judge us on the next game, but listen I know this group is going to be completely different in 11 games’ time. But I can’t deal with pre-season until this season is done.”
That’s well all and good Michael Beale, and we’re all looking forward to a big summer for Rangers, but try and sell this to supporters if we are on the end of another humbling at Celtic Park.
With the frustration already evident in the stands when it comes to this group of players, these comments don’t exactly inspire confidence from the manager ahead of a tough trio of matches against our Old Firm rivals.