Michael Beale has been sacked as manager of Rangers tonight, leaving Ibrox less than a year after taking charge.
Beale has been heading for this ever since Celtic won the derby last month, with results and performances spiralling further out of control in recent weeks.
A 3-1 defeat to Aberdeen on Saturday was the last straw and Beale has now been replaced by an interim management team of Steven Davis and Alex Rae, as confirmed by their official website.
It comes after so much hype from across the city about Beale’s management ability, his rebuilding job at Rangers and what they were going to do to Celtic this season.
We had to listen to a lot of nonsense over the summer as the Ibrox side signed players and looked to capitalise on some decent league form in the second half of last season.
Ultimately though, he had failed to beat Celtic in a meaningful game and had watched the Bhoys become treble winners under Ange Postecoglou.
Up against such an experienced winner in Brendan Rodgers this term, it was only ever going to end one way for him.
Rangers are already seven points behind the Bhoys in the Scottish Premiership and are being outperformed by second-place side St Mirren.
They’re now relying on a miracle to save their season with such an inexperienced coaching staff now in charge of the team. Celtic will relish the possibility of opening up an even bigger gap.
The Bhoys will remain focused on themselves and their own results. That has been a hallmark of the squad led by captain Callum McGregor.
It’s undeniable, however, that the Ibrox side are in the midst of a crisis. It’s time for the Bhoys to take full advantage.
In other news, Kenny Dalglish delivers bullish verdict on Celtic’s chances vs Lazio in UEFA Champions League.
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