Michael Beale has created quite a bit of controversy since his appointment as the Rangers manager, whether that be through his ‘lucky man’ claim about Celtic boss, Ange Postecoglou. Or it be his comments regarding Chris Sutton and his failed stint at Chelsea. The manner of his QPR exit in order to take the Ibrox job has come under criticism as well.
Postecoglou clearly always had a very good relationship with Giovanni van Bronckhorst. But many people believe that a bit of a rivalry is building up between him and Beale.
Beale does not view it that way though, and appears to believe that that is a media creation. He has claimed that there is only mutual respect between the two top managers in Glasgow right now.
As reported by the Daily Record, Beale said regarding the matter ahead of the Scottish League Cup final:
"“There’s a huge mutual respect. It’s fine. We can laugh about it because we know there is nothing there. That’s you media guys’ jobs! I get it, it sells, it’s OK. The fixture sells itself. There is nothing between me and him. There is a lot of respect there.“We can speak openly when we bump into each other at the games and what not. The job he’s done since he has come in to the country has been fantastic.“He has helped recruit players from a part of the world and brought players in who have really shone a light on our game. It is my job to build a strong Rangers and try and move them out of the way.“At this moment in time, we have two excellent teams in the country and we try to show that when we go into European competition. We were better than what both teams showed in terms of points in Europe this year and I think we will both show that next year.“Both clubs are both in real healthy positions. It is OK for me to say that just because I have put on a blue jacket. You respect everybody in the game and I have a lot of respect for him.”"
Beale sends clear message about Celtic boss before League Cup final
Everything will go out of the window, when Celtic take on the Rangers in the final of the Scottish League Cup. A lot is riding on the result of this game for both managers.
For Celtic, it is a chance to defend their Scottish League Cup crown and keep their treble dreams alive. On the other hand, if the Rangers are able to win, then it will send a message to their fans that Beale is the right man for the job.
One has to admit that Beale has made a decent start to life as Rangers manager. It is way too early to declare him as a success story for the Ibrox club though. Giovanni van Bronckhorst was a club hero, and had led them to a Scottish Cup triumph and the final of the UEFA Europa League. We all know how it turned out for him ultimately though and he was shown the exit door just months later.