Michael Beale was involved in Brazilian derbies where crowd violence meant away fans weren’t even allowed on the premises.
So he can chuckle at the thought of Old Firm punters squabbling over a 700 ticket visitors’ allocation for Ibrox or Parkhead. But the Rangers manager is well aware that to Glaswegians, this game is no laughing matter. Especially not when you’re playing second fiddle to your city rivals. Beale was in the dugout 13 times previously against Celtic as Steven Gerrard’s right-hand man.
But on Monday he’ll be the guy in the firing line. And despite a stint in Sao Paulo as a coach, where derby games are notoriously volatile, he rates the Old Firm equivalent as being one of the best in the world. That’s why he can’t wait to directly pit his wits against Hoops gaffer Ange Postecoglou in Govan for the first time. Beale has plenty of experience as a coach at Chelsea, Liverpool, Sao Paulo, Rangers, Aston Villa and QPR. But he knows that nothing is quite like what he’s walking into on Monday afternoon.
He said: “Why is this game up there with the best derbies? It’s just the passion, the way the game is played. It’s history. It’s everything that we love about football. Of course, it has another side to it but let’s focus on the positive part.
“When I went to Brazil, they weren’t arguing about 700 away tickets. Away fans weren’t allowed to go to derby games due to crowd violence. If you’re Sao Paulo and you play Corinthians, there are no away fans. It’s the same if you go to play Palmeiras or Santos and vice versa.
“There was a famous game just before I joined where Santos and Sao Paulo’s buses met before the game. Players from each team had to sit next to each other on the drive to the game. That’s never going to happen here in Glasgow!
“But it just shows you that, around the world, there are circumstances around every big derby game. We have a beautiful one here and it’s important we embrace it.
“The team that loses isn’t the worst team in the world. I know people have to sharpen their pencils the next day and write that it’s life and death. But it isn’t. It’s a big game but I’m looking forward to it. There won’t be any sleepless nights before it.”
Listening to Beale in the build-up to this game, you get the feeling he quite likes his team being written off. Celtic are the bookies’ favourites – and understandably so. Postecoglou’s side have the form, consistency and confidence going into the match.
But, deep down, Beale sees it as a golden chance to put down a marker to the champions and their manager. And he knows if they don’t, it will inflict further psychological damage to this Rangers side and its supporters.
He said: “Rhythm, momentum, consistency of staff, style and winning games – all of that is in favour of Celtic and not ourselves. But that’s what makes it more intriguing. The opportunity is there for my team to bite back a little bit.
“Are we allowed to be the underdogs at Ibrox? Listen, Celtic are a good team with good rhythm. We’ve seen in Europe, like ourselves, that they’re vulnerable. They haven’t been vulnerable in the league but a year ago that team was Rangers.
“A year later, it’s Celtic. It shows you it can turn and it’s my job to turn it. Otherwise, we’re going to have it rubbed in our face – and we don’t like that. When Ange arrived here I had a lot of respect for the journey he had been on. I knew he was a really good coach.
“I thought Celtic would improve. But I thought me and Steven would stay one step ahead because at the time we had the rhythm and momentum. We left, the momentum shifted and we are where we sit today.
“My job is to do what me and Steven did previously – but hopefully a little bit quicker. We played a game without Steven when Ange was first in at Celtic and that went OK for us. Celtic have a lot in their favour right now but they’re coming to our stadium. Right now, talking at Rangers is probably not the best thing – playing is.
“This game will tell me where individual players are at, where I’m at and the club are at. I don’t expect it to be perfect but I’m still optimistic. We’re coming up against a team who everybody says is better. That’s an opportunity for us.”
Almost four years ago exactly, Celtic were the dominant side in Old Firm games with Rangers having not won in 12 derby clashes. Gerrard, with Beale by his side, turned the tide with a 1-0 victory in December 2018 thanks to Ryan Jack’s winner at Ibrox.
If he could, Beale would have bottled what they had that day and got his players to drink it tonight. Beale said: “I remember the emotion that day and the way we played. That’s something you’d want to re-enact.
“It wasn’t all about style. It was more about passion, energy and togetherness. It was a tight game and sometimes a game can be the making of a player. It was Ryan’s first goal for Rangers.
“These games are for people to step up and make their Rangers or Celtic careers. It’s what makes up the highlights reel at the end of the season. They live long in the memory. The eyes of Europe are on this game and we’re fortunate just to be involved. It’s two good teams. It’s just that mine has a bit more to prove than Celtic’s right now.”
