There’ll be a new dynamic in the Scottish Premiership when Celtic return to action after Rangers confirmed the appointment of rookie manager Michael Beale to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Van Bronckhorst was sacked by the Ibrox side last week after poor form in the Scottish Premiership, despite guiding them to a UEFA Europa League final and a Scottish Cup win in May.
Beale returns to Scotland after a coaching stint as part of Steven Gerrard’s backroom staff at Rangers, helping to win just one trophy in three years.
Most recently he’s been in charge of Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship, taking charge of his first 22 matches as a manager – winning nine, drawing five and losing eight.
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic have only lost one match in the Premiership in over a year, stringing together the kind of imperious form that would make it difficult for any manager to catch the Bhoys.
It’s a particular risk for them to go with such an untested figure, especially against a boss with the breadth of experience and success that Postecoglou has across the world.
We know that the Bhoys will be solely focused on themselves and their own performances, but the change in management across the city will require studying ahead of the three league derby matches still to come.
Celtic have a busy schedule after the World Cup, playing Aberdeen, Livingston, St Johnstone, Hibernian and Rangers between 17th December and 2nd January. Three of those are away, so there’s no room for complacency in the Bhoys camp despite a healthy nine-point lead at the top of the table.
If we can take care of that gauntlet successfully we’ll be moving into 2023 in a ridiculously strong position that could leave the new regime at Ibrox well behind the curve before they really get started.
In other news, Vissel Kobe release dressing room footage as Celtic recruit says goodbyes ahead of arrival.
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