Rangers FC via PA Images A corner flag at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow.
Hugh MacDonald Rangers board ‘thrown under the bus’ with Michael Beale transfer comment
According to Hugh MacDonald, the Rangers board was “thrown under the bus” after Michael Beale made a comment following last weekend’s Old Firm defeat to Celtic.
Beale told the assembled journalists after Rangers’ 1-0 loss at Ibrox on Saturday [2 September] that their reported valuations of players signed during the summer transfer window were “miles out.”
The under-fire manager made the remark while defending the impact – or lack thereof – of the nine new arrivals, who were estimated to have cost a total of £13 million.
However, MacDonald was taken aback by the comments, telling PLZ Soccer [7 September]: “The most interesting thing that the managers said post-match was Beale on the signings.”
“Everything else said was predictable – [Brendan] Rodgers on his players’ bravery and mentality; Beale on chances, VAR, and so on.”
“But then [Beale] comes down and says, ‘You know what, it wasn’t £13 million.'” You’re way off’.
“What you’re then getting is a board getting thrown under the bus.”
End game?
Regardless of exactly how much Rangers’ new signings cost, there is no doubt that they have not made enough of an impact between them.
Only three of the nine newbies started against Celtic – Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Cyriel Dessers – while Sam Lammers, Abdallah Sima and Danilo were introduced from the substitutes’ bench.
Of those, only Butland came out of the defeat with any sort of credit after making four saves.
Danilo was reported to have cost the Gers £6m and Dessers around £4.5m, although those fees have of course been disputed by Beale.
In many ways, this could be the beginning of the endgame for Beale, who appears to be trying to salvage face ahead of the inevitable if more disappointing results follow in the coming weeks.
The only way he can get out of this scenario is if his talent is worth £13 million, or whatever it is.
In other Rangers news, rivals Celtic are expected to get an extra £2.5 million as a result of the Light Blues’ failure to qualify for the Champions League.
