Michael Beale says Rangers ready for ‘intriguing’ derby as he points to Celtic struggles and bites at ‘hammering’ claim

Miserable Michael Beale last night apologised to the Rangers support for his side’s Champions League calamity as he admitted the buck stops with him.

The Ibrox gaffer was hoping to match Gio van Bronckhorst’s feat of leading the Light Blues into Europe’s top tournament. But it ended up being a painful night against PSV as his team were outclassed in Eindhoven. Peter Bosz’s side were held to a 2-2 draw last week but there was no stopping them at home, running riot as Ismael Saibari’s double was followed by goals from Luuk de Jong, Joey Veerman and a calamitous Connor Goldson OG.

That left Beale to hold his hands up as he admitted his team were no match for the ruthless Eredivisie giants. Apologising to the 2000 travelling supporters, he said: “Obviously hugely disappointed with the result tonight. I felt over the two legs we were unable handle de Jong and Saibari in both legs. In key moments in the game, certainly at set plays as well, we concede. Listen, the buck stops with me. I wasn’t happy with losing the way that we lost tonight. There were moments in the game that could have gone for us.

"I thought there were moments in the second half and some other opportunities didn’t go for us but it is obviously bitterly frustrating. An apology to the fans that came across. They stuck with the team in both legs and they expect a little bit more than what they got.”

The Dutch side now march on to take a place in the draw for the group stages - while Gers will have to be consoled with a place in Friday’s hat for the Europa League.

But Beale admits his team will still have to improve if they’re to survive in Uefa’s second-tier tournament. "We’ll now see what the Europa League draw brings,” he said. “We are not going to deny