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Michael Beale insists his Rangers job is not in peril

Michael Beale insists his Rangers job is not in peril
© Reuters
Rangers head coach Michael Beale plays down speculation over his future at the club and believes that he has assurances over his position at Ibrox.

Rangers head coach Michael Beale has played down speculation over his future at the club and believes that he has assurances over his position at Ibrox.

After working under former Gers boss Steven Gerrard as his assistant and then spending a brief period in charge of Queens Park Rangers, Beale returned to the blue side of Glasgow to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst as head coach in November last year.

The 43-year-old won 22 of his first 28 matches in charge of Rangers across all tournaments last season, but the Gers ultimately ended the campaign trophyless and finished second in the Scottish Premiership behind champions and Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Beale has since overseen a significant overhaul of the first-team squad over the summer, with nine players arriving at Ibrox for around £15m and 14 players leaving the club either on a permanent basis or on loan.

However, Rangers have endured a below-par start to the new campaign, losing two of their first four Premiership games as well as crashing out in the qualification stages of the Champions League, subsequently dropping down into the Europa League group stage.

Rangers manager Michael Beale pictured on September 3, 2023© Reuters

With the pressure mounting on Beale to turn the club's fortunes around, former Chelsea boss Graham Potter and current Birmingham City coach John Eustace have both been linked with the Rangers job.

However, Potter has allegedly turned down the chance to take charge of the Gers, while Eustace has taken to the media to dismiss himself from links with the Ibrox hotseat.

Beale, who still has three years remaining on his contract in Glasgow, has insisted that he is "part of a plan" at Rangers and believes that he still has the support of the club's hierarchy.

"A football manager needs to win games of football," Beale told reporters on Friday as quoted by BBC Sport. "The last two we didn't win so we need to get back to winning. Right now the team need to show stronger performances."

"Naturally, I speak to [chief executive] James Bisgrove every day. I speak to [chairman] John Bennett and other members of the board at least two or three times a week as normal. Nothing has changed in that respect.

"I don't need assurances. I'm part of a plan in terms of where we're going as a club. It's something I'm fully aware and involved in."

Rangers' manager Michael Beale on August 9, 2023© Reuters

Asked if he felt that his Rangers job was in peril, Beale replied: "No, listen I'm disappointed with the results, just like everybody else.

"This year is about picking up silverware. It's very early into the season, there's been a lot of change around me. We've not started the season how we all wanted but there's a lot of football to be played.

"[The supporters are] sharing their frustration. It was heard loud and clear. I don't think there's much time for talking now, we need to make it up to them on the pitch in performances and results. Fans are sharing their frustration and anxiety at the way the start of the season has gone. That's quite natural.

"Fans have shown a frustration towards myself, that's fair. They've shown a frustration towards the players as well. None of us are really in a lot of credit at the moment.

"I was fully aware of what I was getting myself involved in. I understand Glasgow and how it works. I can't affect the background noise I've just got to get on with my job day in day out. I'm really comfortable. Reporters and journalists are going to ask managers questions. I can't help that."

After losing 1-0 to rivals Celtic before the international break, Rangers will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to basement club St Johnstone in the Premiership on Saturday lunchtime.

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Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during draw with Nottingham Forest on January 1, 2023.
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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