Andy Walker reckons Michael Beale faces a "tall order" if he is hoping to lead Rangers to the title this season ahead of defending champions Celtic.
Rangers currently sit nine points behind Ange Postecoglou's side as they prepare to face Hibs on Thursday when they return to top-flight football after almost a month away from action due to the World Cup in Qatar. Since then Gio van Bronckhorst's time as manager came to an end after a lacklustre campaign, with Beale making his return to Govan after leaving English Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
However, Walker doesn't think the addition of the new man in the Rangers hot seat will be enough to dethrone Celtic and their push for a second consecutive Scottish Premiership crown. He reckons that Beale should be focusing on getting the best out of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos over making title declarations after taking over the reins.
Walker told Sky Sports News: "The position is a difficult one. Rangers are nine points behind Celtic and I do expect Michael Beale to give the whole squad a new manager bounce. It will be interesting to see what kind of form he can get out of Ryan Kent, someone he has known since he was a 14-year-old boy when he was at Liverpool. It will be interesting to see what he can get out of Alfredo Morelos.
'His attitude has been lacking at times, and he wasn't fit for the start of the season when Rangers had a number of big games and Antonio Colak is the number one there at the moment. It will be interesting to see if Michael Beale can get any sort of a tune to challenge the number one striker there."
When pressed on if Beale could close the gap on Celtic, Walker continued: "Well, he can close the gap to six before Celtic play at Pittodrie on Saturday. I think that is what they have to do. You heard Michael Beale in the media when he said he wanted to chase Celtic down. I think that is going to be a tall order. Celtic are in good form and have a lot of options for players in all positions."
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