It might not feel like it for Michael Beale right now. Because, as everyone can see, he’s a Rangers manager under serious pressure.
But Europe might just be his saviour – for a while at least. A win over Real Betis at Ibrox on Thursday night in their opening Europa League fixture might just relieve some of the strain. The Spaniards are Rangers’ main rivals to win the group. And I expect both to progress to the knock-out phase. Beating them would be a statement of intent from Rangers. A marker put down.
It could be the catalyst for a run in the competition. And given the club’s experience of two years ago, we all know how special that could be. Listen, the priority for Michael – or any Rangers gaffer – is the Premiership and winning the league. And after losing to Celtic in the first derby match they’re in a difficult position. They can’t afford more slip-ups before the October international break. But when things aren’t going well domestically, success in Europe helps.
That was certainly the case for the last two managers at Ibrox. Steven Gerrard needed time when he arrived in 2018.
Remember, there were no trophies during his first two years in charge. Michael was there as a coach so knows that by reaching the group stage of the Europa League and doing well, it bought the manager that time.
Which eventually led to Gerrard getting the club back to where it belongs as champions in 2021. When Gio van Bronckhorst arrived as gaffer, Rangers were ahead of Celtic at the top of the table.
That lead was squandered, allowing Ange Postecoglou’s side to take over. But instead of Gio getting stick he was being lauded for the club’s performances in Europe.
The Rangers fans loved every minute of their incredible run to Seville, beating some huge clubs along the way. The positivity it generated among the club and fanbase was unbelievable.
I remember working on a radio phone-in and punters were calling in to say they didn’t care about the next Old Firm game – because there was a Europa League semi-final around the corner. When have you ever heard that before? That’s the carnage and chaos of football in Glasgow at times.
Rangers managed to win the Scottish Cup that season but lost the league title. It was unique in that both sets of supporters ended up happy.
What Rangers did on their way to the final took the heat off Gio’s domestic results, there’s no doubt about that. And Michael might need some of that slack now as well. That’s why beating Betis at Ibrox could be vital.
He’s a man under pressure – you saw that in his press conference on Friday. There are a lot of questions being asked of him. And there are doubters out there ready to stick the knife in.
Now, I don’t claim to know Michael personally but I’ve spent a bit of time with him. He understands what it’s going to take to turn things around at Ibrox. Ultimately, the buck always stops with the manager. I get that.
But players have to take responsibility for their actions too. In big moments against Celtic, in particular, they let themselves down.
And that has nothing to do with Michael’s training or tactics. Where it’s on Michael is that, since the start of the season, there hasn’t been an identity to Rangers’ play.
There’s been no real energy or quality. But he has been in Glasgow for four and a half years now. He knows the lie of the land here.
In this city, either the green or blue side gets it in the neck. And unfortunately for him right now, it’s the blue side. Without being close to him I sense he’s confident in his own ability.
But he knows the minute you set foot inside Ibrox you’re under pressure. He won two league games out of four, lost to Celtic and was knocked out of the Champions League before the international break. With that, comes added pressure.
He managed to relieve some of that at McDiarmid Park yesterday with a win. Now it’s on to Thursday. And Europe can be important for an Old Firm manager. Michael has experienced that already working under Gerrard.
It can definitely buy you time and that’s what he needs right now. Michael has seven games in 22 days and he needs five wins domestically. That has to be a given.
If he can throw in four points from two Europa League games, I’d say Rangers will be in a good place going into the next break. Depending on what happens across the city, they might find themselves a bit closer to Celtic in the league – IF they take care of their own business.
That’s the only way Michael and these players will get a bit of respite. But a bit of trust from the fans that they can deliver would help.
Real Betis won’t be an easy game on Thursday night. But Rangers, as top seeds, are favourites for me. So what an opportunity to land the first blow and move ahead of the Spaniards.
They’ve then got the bottom seeds, Aris Limassol, up next. So it COULD be a great start for them. But the supporters need to see progression in this team.
I played the game for a long time and always had a level of pride in my performance. Yes, the manager will pick the team and give you a game-plan.
But as a player you have to make the right decisions on the pitch, especially in big moments. It’s about YOU taking responsibility, even when you’re not playing well. That’s where these players are failing right now.
Michael signed nine over the summer and, apart from Jack Butland, we haven’t seen the best version of any of them yet. That has to change. For their sake – and their manager’s.
