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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Kenny Miller believes Rangers fan reaction to Celtic defeat was the worst ever

Kenny Miller believes Michael Beale must turn around Rangers' form fast - or he could be facing an Ibrox exit sooner rather than later.

The Gers manager is under huge pressure after a nightmare week saw the club knocked out of the Champions League and defeated by Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Some fans have seen enough, but Miller says Beale must be given a chance to turn things around.

Next up is a visit to Perth to take on St Johnstone after the international break and it is simply a must-win game for the Light Blues.

“They have to win games, it’s that simple,” Miller told the Daily Record. “The next game to St Johnstone, you’ve got to win it. I wouldn’t like to be in that dressing room if he doesn’t. You don’t get time in Glasgow, I understand that. But you actually get less time now than what you probably did.

“I remember one year there when we drew three games in a row under Walter Smith. That was a real pressure situation. Yet we went on to win the league. If I remember the 2008-09 season, I think we were four points back going into the split – and we won the league. So there’s a long way to go.

“The reason I can understand the frustration is that the fans aren’t seeing what they expect to see in the level of performance. That’s what needs to improve.”

Miller has also insisted that the reaction to Sunday's loss to Celtic was one of the worst he has seen - even worse than the backlash to Pedro Caixinha's loss to Progres in Luxembourg.

He added: “The fans are teetering on the edge and Michael Beale will know that. Four games in and four points back, it’s not good reading.

“One of my former team-mates stated he hadn’t heard anything like Sunday’s full-time reaction. And I went away thinking I couldn’t remember anything like that either. I’ve had moments myself as a player. We got beat by Unirea 4-1 at home in the Champions League – that wasn’t great!

“I was at Progres away in Luxembourg, which was a disaster. We lost 5-1 at home in an Old Firm too. I mean come on, it’s not nice!

“But I can’t remember that being as bad as it was on Sunday. I think it’s because there was so much positivity made of the summer rebuild, all the new signings and how it’ll be different this year. But at this moment it’s not looking that way for anybody watching.

“There’s only one way back and Michael’s said it himself. They need to get back to work, understand who they’re representing and improve.”

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