Michael Beale has set his sights on raiding Rangers after being appointed as the Zulte Waregem head coach.
The 45-year-old was Steven Gerrard’s assistant when the Liverpool legend led the Light Blues to Premiership glory in 2021.
He returned to take the reins at Ibrox himself in 2022, only to be forced to leave less than a year later.
After spells at Sunderland and Al-Ettifaq, where he again assisted Gerrard, Beale has now taken charge as Zulte Waregem’s boss in Belgium.
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Beale is interested in Bailey Rice
According to the Daily Record, Beale is interested in taking Bailey Rice to Zulte Waregem this summer, as he looks to get his managerial career back on track in Belgium.
The newspaper reported that the Englishman is watching Rice’s situation at Ibrox closely.
It is worth noting that the 19-year-old is a free agent, with his contract with Rangers running out at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Danny Rohl’s side are keen to retain Rice’s services and have offered him a new deal, with talks over the same still ongoing.
However, there have been suggestions that the Scotland Under-19 international is leaning towards leaving Ibrox, thus putting his suitors on high alert.
Fabrizio Romano reported in April that Schalke and Ajax are interested in the midfielder, while West Ham United are also in the mix.
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Beale handed Bailey his Rangers debut
It should come as no surprise that Beale is interested in taking Bailey to Belgium, as it was he who gave the teenager his first-team debut at Rangers.
The midfielder notably made his bow for the Glasgwegian outfit in a Scottish Premiership game against Livingston on 18 February 2023.
Aged 16 at the time, Rice came on as a substitute for Ryan Kent in the 88th minute, as Rangers won the game 3-0.
Therefore, the teenager may be tempted by the prospect of reuniting with Beale at Zulte Waregem.
However, with the likes of Schalke, Ajax and West Ham interested, a move to Belgium may not be too enticing for him at this stage.
