Rangers' unmitigated disaster in the Champions League this season is 'no surprise' to Michael Beale given what his inherited squad had experienced at the top level.
The Light Blues were European fodder when the unwanted tag of the worst-ever group stage team in the competition's history became reality after conceding 22 times and scoring just twice. That horror run outdid Dinamo Zagreb's record by a few goals and handed a then Gio Van Bronckhorst team a Champions League nightmare on their return to Europe's top table with Ajax, Liverpool and Napoli the tormentors.
It came after a memorable run to the Europa League final which saw penalty-shootout heartbreak but new boss Beale believes there were factors that meant the Ibrox side couldn't be at their best in the top level. And the Englishman insists his team won't forget the difficult patch but that a plan to revive European hopes must be 'phased in'.
READ MORE: The Steven Gerrard Rangers factor that makes Leeds United a 'great shout' as key trait revealed
He said: “When you look at the group that went on the long journey through Europe these past few years and you see that the vast majority of them didn’t play in the Champions League this season then it’s not really a surprise to me that the group struggled. The team had built up huge confidence over a number of years in the Europa League.
“If you start taking four or five of those out of the team because of injury and different circumstances then the new boys coming in didn’t live that journey.
“So it’s important we remember and respect what we did and cleverly evolve. It’s not rapid. You don’t go out with the old and in with the new. It doesn’t work. I think you have to phase it in and at the right time."
READ NEXT:
- Amad Diallo and Patrick Roberts land huge praise as ex-Rangers and Celtic duo fall short in FA Cup
- Celtic top the billing in Europe's 'unbeaten' table with rivals Rangers also listed with big guns
- Alfredo Morelos 'rejects big-money' Rangers transfer exit chance and could extend Ibrox stay
- Rangers star Antonio Colak discovered Croatia World Cup KO on TV as he opens up on heartache
