Footage has emerged of Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland fronting up to fans after Saturday's defeat to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
The match proved to be Michael Beale's last as manager as the Ibrox club confirmed his sacking yesterday.
Beale, who was first-team coach at Rangers under Steven Gerrard, took over in the Ibrox hotseat in November 2022, following the departure of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Beale never recovered from the 1-0 defeat by an under-strength Hoops side at Ibrox last month, with four subsequent wins in three different competitions doing little to appease disgruntled supporters.
Beale revamped his squad in the summer but new signings such as Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Dujon Sterling and Jose Cifuentes have failed to impress.
Fans were furious following Saturday's defeat to Aberdeen and some vented their frustrations at the players as they exited Ibrox.
Goalkeeper Butland then responded to one fan saying “we know". The fan then responded, “we know? How long have we heard that for?”.
— 🍀🏴 (@CC88____) October 1, 2023
Butland continued: “We’ve got to show you.” The fan then ranted: “First week at Kilmarnock, we’re beaten there. We come to Celtic and couldn’t work better there. We come to PSV, couldn’t work better there. Look at the money we’ve lost out on in the Champions League. Look at how much money Celtic have got from that.”
Butland then added “You’ve hit the nail on the head", before the fan concluded: “We need better, and I appreciate this but see if you go into that changing room, the fans have an opinion. I like Beale but why is he sending the assistant manager out to speak? Face it yourself.”
Rangers announced the almost inevitable departure of Beale last night and have put club favourite Steven Davis in charge.
Calls for Beale’s departure increased following the 3-1 defeat by Aberdeen at Ibrox on Saturday, with the players again booed off the park.
A third loss in seven Premiership fixtures left the Light Blues seven points behind leaders Celtic and with their title hopes already in jeopardy.
Ahead of the Europa League tie against Aris Limassol in Cyprus on Thursday night, the Ibrox club released a statement which outlined the changes.
It read: “Rangers can confirm it has parted company with men’s first-team manager Michael Beale.
“The Rangers board would like to put on record their thanks to Michael and his staff for their efforts since joining the club last November.
“Results this season have fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect.
“Therefore, the decision was reached today to terminate the contract of the manager, as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Jack Ade.
“The club is pleased to announce that Steven Davis will lead the interim management team.
“The team will consist of former Rangers player and hugely experienced coach Alex Rae, former player and current coach Steven Smith, coach Brian Gilmour and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart.”
