As the saying goes, ‘slow and steady’ wins the race but if that matches Rangers progress under Michael Beale then an injection of acceleration will be required.
The Ibrox manager has once again set out his belief that the squad is on the upward curve and he is the man to lead the charge to glory into the new season.
Relative success appears all that is left for the current campaign with the Scottish Cup to be retained as well as continuing to push Celtic in the Premiership. Any further dropped points would absolutely spell out the end of any remaining title hopes as well as the need for results to drop even slightly over Parkhead way.
Beale is navigating some choppy waters just now, on the back of a swell around the club relating to internal politics as well as the tidal wave of scrutiny that followed the League Cup letdown. However, the Englishman is content to see it out with a prediction of plain sailing ahead.
He knows the pressures that come with the top job which is simply another challenge to overcome. He will be judged, sink or swim ahead.
An assured approach is vital, but that needs to be backed up by delivering on the pitch:
“I back the people I work with and I believe in this club and the work we’re going to go on. There’s work to be done but I 100 percent believe in it. When I came back in did I feel everything was going to be perfect between the back end of November and May? No.”
“But in my first year as a manager what was I investing in? The future. I believe in it and where I’m taking it and the people I’m going to go on that journey with. I don’t see it as anything other than me being confident going forward. Am I slightly more aware now? Yes. Just because I’m sat in the seat. But has it made me any less confident? No.”
“You can only live every day. I can’t fast forward three months. I’m excited by this challenge as you can tell from my body language.”
Michael Beale will need all the excitement, enthusiasm and inspiration that he can muster with the need for a little luck along the way. The next transfer window carries an importance that cannot be understated. That is the scale of it.
“Stick with us”, he continued in an outreach to the supporters. They won’t be found wanting but need to be met half-way. The manager has a juggling act in terms of remaining assignments this season as well as preparation for next year with some who won’t be involved but this Rangers team need to show more teeth and desire in the big games to come, as well as an essential retention of the Scottish Cup.
Some players won’t be here much longer but the manager knows they are also contributing to his own future and reputation.