Michael Beale reckons some of the discussion around his Rangers team has been disrespectful, speaking in the wake of another defeat to Celtic this season.
The Bhoys have won three of the four derbies played this term, with the other ending in a draw despite the Ibrox side being at home and badly needing a victory. Beale has been in charge of two of their defeats.
Addressing reporters at Celtic Park after losing 3-2 on Saturday, the Rangers manager said [The Scotsman]: “There are two good football teams in this country, not one. And my players have got to keep showing it on the pitch and grab a bit of respect back because there is a bit of disrespect for a team that has lost six league games in 107. OK, so it’s a good football team.”
Unfortunately for Rangers and for Beale, Celtic remain the measuring stick in Scottish football and pointing that out is not disrespectful, it’s just the truth. Only winners get the plaudits.
What must be so concerning deep down for those who follow the Ibrox side is that despite Celtic being far below the standards set by Ange Postecoglou yesterday, they still couldn’t really lay a finger on the Bhoys. Their biggest chances came from set pieces and not much was created outside of that.
For all the bluster about seeing ‘the real Rangers’ for this one, they really relied upon plenty of unforced Celtic errors to get a foothold in the game. I doubt Postecoglou’s team will have a first half like that again this season, including in upcoming derbies.
Beale seems determined the circle the wagons around himself and his team between now and the end of the season, regardless of what plays out from here – but the bluster will only go so far when Celtic keep on proving they are the best team in the country.
Postecoglou and the Bhoys remain entirely focused on themselves. They don’t care much about what others are saying about them – so while Beale is caught up bleating about disrespect, Celtic will march on and likely write themselves into the history books.
In other news, “He’d have a fight by himself”; Ange Postecoglou lauds Celtic standout vs Rangers.
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