Ally McCoist is prepared to give new boss Michael Beale the benefit of the doubt in the upcoming Old Firm derby at the start of the year - by reassuring him he 'won't and shouldn't be judged on the result'.
Beale became Rangers boss towards the end of last month, and got off to a flyer so far after beating German giants Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly before scraping past Hibs 3-2 at Ibrox on Thursday evening. Despite the performance generally lacking against Lee Johnson's men, it has been here where Gio van Bronckhorst's downfalls came - and Rangers fans will be delighted they somewhat turned a corner.
Nonetheless, they remain six points behind bitter rivals Celtic in the title race with Ange Postecoglou's side having a game in hand to retain their nine-point lead over Beale to retain their dominance in the Scottish Premiership title race. A huge chance to cut that gap is the clash on January 2, which could go a long way in deciding where the silverware will finish up at the end of the season; though McCoist believes the pressure is off Beale as he is still learning the ropes.
"You're just as well diving off the top rope than you are working your way up I think," McCoist told Grosvenor Sport. "The one thing that won't surprise Michael Beale is that type of fixture.
"I don't have a problem at all with that being one of his first matches [in charge of Rangers]. He won't be judged on that result, and nor should he be but you would have to say that the importance of it is absolutely imperative."
Rangers take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Tuesday evening as they aim to continue their one-game winning streak under Beale, and with the transfer window fast approaching, we may well see changes by the time Celtic visit Ibrox in January.
