Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Matthew Fulton

Michael Beale MUST win Rangers cup final as Celtic hero Martin O'Neill makes 'really big' claim

Michael Beale has been told by ex-Celtic manager Martin O'Neill that he must land a blow on Celtic on Sunday.

It is the Viaplay Cup final that Beale will be contesting against his Glasgow counterpart Ange Postecoglou as the league scenario means Rangers are nine points behind their rivals but have the chance to win the first available trophy of the season in a blockbuster showdown this weekend. O'Neill won the same competition only once during his successful tenure at Parkhead.

But the ex-Celtic gaffer is instructing the Englishman to know it is a 'really, really big game' for his side and insists they haven't quite closed the gap on their rivals but that both teams have been on good form.

READ MORE: Rangers Celtic 'ludicrous' VAR decision fear as pundit floats 'astonished' league title theory

He told talkSPORT when asked if Beale must win: “I think so. Since he’s gone up there the results have been fine. Rangers haven’t closed the gap but they’ve kept it there because both teams have been winning their football matches but this is big, really, really big for Rangers - they’re trying to win a trophy

“They’re trying to end Celtic’s control off Scottish football the minute. Ange Postecoglou has done fantastically well."

He added when asked if he misses it: "How could you not miss this? The Old Firm games are simply are in another planet and Celtic Park on a European night is a different stratosphere.”

READ NEXT:

- Rangers penalty call 'crazy' verdict as pundits make 'that's why VAR is there' claim

- Ange Postecoglou relishing Celtic vs Rangers Viaplay Cup final 'noise' as he makes 'storyline' claim

- Michael Beale plans Rangers summer clear out as he details reasons behind bigger squad at this stage

- Scott Brown's Celtic or Rangers decision and 'one place I wanted to go' response after Hoops chat

- Pedro Mendes on whirlwind Rangers transfer as he joked 'don't kill me' on first team night out

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.