Celtic continue to lead the Premiership table by nine points even though the Rangers have improved following the appointment of Michael Beale as manager, after showing Giovanni van Bronckhorst the exit door in the middle of the season. Ange Postecoglou’s side have not missed a step though, and continued to rack up the wins.
On the other hand, Beale raised a few eyebrows with some of his recent comments. Especially while discussing the Hoops’ transfers and he even went on to label Postecoglou a ‘lucky man’.
Unsurprisingly, Celtic fans were less than impressed with Beale’s comments and Postecoglou himself has brought it up a couple of times in the media, in his own unique way.
Frank McAvennie has told Beale to focus on his own team rather than focusing on what the Hoops are doing. As reported by Football Insider, the former Celtic star said about the matter:
"“It is as if Beale is obsessed with what Celtic is doing. He should be focusing on his own team and who they are playing.“Just go and play. He has spent a fair bit of money and I think he has got good players there.“"
Celtic hero sends sensational message to Rangers manager Beale
If Beale was trying to play mind games with his comments, then they have not worked, as the Hoops have continued to rack up the wins and maintained their nine-point lead at the top of the table over the Rangers.
In fact, one could argue that Celtic have gotten better over the past month or so. Since the 2-2 draw in the Glasgow Derby away at Ibrox, Postecoglou’s side have won seven straight games, scoring 22 goals and conceding just one. A brilliant run of form to say the least.
Thus, with 13 more league games to go, Celtic not only hold a nine-point lead but their goal difference is 25 better than the Rangers. Of course, the two Glasgow giants will meet in the Scottish League Cup final as well.
Beale has made a good start at Ibrox as manager, but that does not mean that he is guaranteed to be a success there. Van Bronckhorst had guided them to a Scottish Cup triumph and the UEFA Europa League final just last season. He was shown the exit door in November this time around. Things can change very quickly in football.