Michael Beale quashed claims of a clash of personalities with Ange Postecoglou as the Rangers boss insisted he has nothing but respect for his Celtic counterpart.
The Ibrox gaffer has faced accusations he’s deliberately set out to wind up his Parkhead rival with some of his public statements. The Londoner has already insisted he meant no harm when he referred to the Hoops as “the other team” during one media sit-down.
But his “lucky man” quip has been taken as a jibe aimed at Postecoglou’s Celtic Park spending power by some opposition supporters. Beale, however, is adamant his relationship with the man he’ll be squaring up to at Hampden on Sunday as both their teams scrap it out for Viaplay Cup glory is both positive and cordial.
The Rangers manager said: “There’s a huge mutual respect. It’s fine. We can laugh about it because we know there is nothing there. That’s you media guys’ jobs! I get it, it sells, it’s OK. The fixture sells itself. There is nothing between me and him. There is a lot of respect there.
“We can speak openly when we bump into each other at the games and what not. The job he’s done since he has come in to the country has been fantastic.
“He has helped recruit players from a part of the world and brought players in who have really shone a light on our game. It is my job to build a strong Rangers and try and move them out of the way.
“At this moment in time, we have two excellent teams in the country and we try to show that when we go into European competition. We were better than what both teams showed in terms of points in Europe this year and I think we will both show that next year.
“Both clubs are both in real healthy positions. It is OK for me to say that just because I have put on a blue jacket. You respect everybody in the game and I have a lot of respect for him.”
Beale has looked to the way legendary Ibrox boss Walter Smith conducted himself during his rivalry with late Celtic hero Tommy Burns and hopes he and Postecoglou can maintain similarly well-mannered relations while their teams get down to business.
He said: “Listen, we have seen both sides of it down the years haven’t we? Walter and Tommy Burns, that was really a nice moment when they worked together with the national team. I thought it set an example to those who follow afterwards. I think we should always remember that.”
But Beale’s dealings with ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton haven’t been quite so warm lately. The Gers boss lashed out at the Record Sport columnist with a barely-disguised swipe last week, describing the former Chelsea frontman as the “worst player” in Stamford Bridge history.
Sutton hit back by claiming he’d had to google Beale’s name to get the lowdown on the former Charlton winger’s playing career. But Beale - who hung up his boots at the age of just 21 in order to turn his focus towards coaching - insisted those kind of claims are a cheap shot: “Of course it is because it’s generally said by ex-professionals.
“But there are a number of excellent coaches who have not had the most high profile playing careers. It’s about building a management team, it’s not about one person anymore. I know myself and Ange have to take these interviews on and be at the forefront of the club.
“But it’s actually about a management team and about your background staff, be that Neil Banfield, Damien Matthew or Harry Watling or John Kennedy, Gavin Strachan and Harry Kewell for Ange. You need your staff, they are an extension of you.
“They get around the players. When you pick a team and players are not involved they don’t want to hear from you. Your assistants have to go and pick up the pieces for you, it’s important. It’s hard for an ex-player to come straight from hanging up his boots to having all the tools to be a world-class manager. If they are then they have got the magic it needs.”
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