This calendar year has been a bad one for Rangers in terms of the most important objective, the Scottish Premiership crown.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst was powerless to stop Celtic’s resurgence under Ange Postecoglou from January onward and in this current 22/23 campaign, it has got worse leading to the current situation and the changing of the guard at Ibrox.
Michael Beale comes in needing to make amends and forward strides to face up to the challenge from Parkhead, to make Rangers a proper force in Scotland once again just 18 months on from what should have been a pivotal moment when the club’s 55th league title was hoisted aloft by James Tavernier.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Beale faced up to the task. He has experience of trailing as well as setting the pace in Glasgow so here will be no surprises for him on what happens next.
“It’s going to be difficult, we know that. My job is to chase them down, the player’s job is to chase them down.”
“That’s a mentality shift in terms of how we look at things because when I left here, we were the ones in front.”
“So now the mentality’s shifted and we have to chase them down it starts with winning all the other games, it doesn’t start with games against them.”
“We have to get closer. The most important thing right now is we have to reconnect with our fans in terms of the way we play, I think that’s really important.”
Lift
Mick Beale’s subtle words above are also a recognition og how out of sorts Rangers have been this season. The disconnect has not only been between the players and supporters, but also between the squad in terms of their play and togetherness.
It has been ragged, fragile and unconvincing in more ways than one.
The fans will respond to what they are seeing on the pitch, which in turn will make the squad stronger for the greater backing that they will receive. Beale is right to focus on this with the aim of moving everyone forward together.