Michael Beale reveals Rangers transfer review planned as boss craves derby fan experience

He experienced it as a coach under Steven Gerrard. And now he finds himself embroiled in it as Rangers manager.

But what Michael Beale really wants to do - is go to an Old Firm game and experience it as a FAN. The Ibrox gaffer has revealed he was well aware of Glasgow derbies before he ever set foot in the city as Gerrard’s right-hand man. In fact, Beale says he loved watching Rangers legends Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup in action against their bitter rivals.

The Londoner is now immersed in the fixture and today will stand in the opposite dug-out to Brendan Rodgers when Celtic visit Govan. Having worked alongside Gerrard before, he quickly came to understand its importance. With an awareness of the history behind it all, and as much as he enjoys the privilege of leading Rangers into battle, Beale admits he yearns for the day he can experience an Old Firm game as a supporter.

As he prepared for the first derby of the season, he said: “I loved watching the Old Firm games as a kid. I was a big fan of Laudrup and Gazza so I watched them on TV when I was growing up. To this day, I’d still like to go to a Rangers vs Celtic game as a punter.

“Because when you’re involved in it, your focus is so much on wanting to do well that it’s hard to enjoy the moment. You try to but it’s difficult. It’s a huge rivalry with a religious background, which always adds a bit more to the whole occasion. Because I don’t follow that, it’s not something big for me. But I understand it’s been borne through generations.

“That sort of rivalry is important. When we look outside the UK, we love to watch the Milan derby, the Madrid derby, the Merseyside derby and Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray. But our one here is really special and for the people