Arthur Numan warns Rangers boss Michael Beale he’ll lose his job if he can't bring down Celtic

Arthur Numan has warned Michael Beale he’ll only keep his job if he can find a way to topple Celtic.

The Rangers boss has been on the receiving end of a bitter backlash from furious fans since watching his team crash in last week’s Old Firm opener. There’s been a mounting clamour for change in the dugout amongst supporters but so far the Gers board have opted to stand behind their under-pressure boss.

That faith will be put to the test in Perth on Saturday as Beale’s side return to action in a lunchtime clash at St Johnstone. But longer term, Numan reckons the only way Steven Gerrard’s former assistant can survive is by drastically improving on his dismal derby record. Beale has presided over six clashes with Celtic so far, mustering a single win while suffering four defeats. And Numan admits that’s not the kind of form that will be tolerated for long.

He said: “Defeats to Celtic have been happening far too often in the past year and a way must be found to stop this poor run. If we can't find a way to beat Celtic then we are all aware of the inevitable outcome. People will lose their jobs.

“The fans demand that we get on track to lift the league title and they are perfectly entitled to feel that way. However, let's have a period of calm and stick together. Let's all push in the one direction at the same time. That is always helpful. That said, there still needs to be success. And quickly.”

Now the Dutchman hopes to see a reaction when the Light Blues return to McDiarmid Park - scene of a hugely damaging defeat to Beale’s predecessor Gio van Bronckhorst. Numan added: “I hope Michael Beale and his players are still hurting from the defeat to Celtic. They should all be desperate to get out onto the pitch on Saturday to take