Arthur's Column // 13th December 2022

Michael Beale is now in charge of Rangers and it's important for everyone to get behind him.

He had a good win at the weekend against Bayer Leverkusen but the real work starts on Thursday night at home to Hibs. It's vital to take the three points and get the next stage of the SPFL Premiership off to the best possible start.

Michael knows the club well and knows a number of the players well. It's his job to get the best out of them. If he can get more from Ryan Kent that would be great. If Kemar Roofe can get a run of games over the next few months that would also be beneficial. Having Connor Goldson and Ianis Hago back for selection would be a huge boost.

As I have said a few times in this column, the players need to give more. They can't hide behind the manager. Alfredo Morelos is a talented striker and was capable of much better in the first half of the season.

I think he let Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the Rangers supporters down. Under Giovanni, and Steven Gerrard, he was given chance after chance. I would now look to let him go in January. It would be best for all concerned to sell him and close the chapter.

The energy and focus has to be on players who want to play for the club, who you can trust to show the right desire every day in training and in matches. It's up to Michael and his backroom staff to make that happen.

Michael will have some very tough decisions ahead of him but he strikes me as the type of guy who will not shirk away from anything. He has taken over from a man who led us to the Europa League Final and Scottish Cup success. It was a very good opening six months from him.

But he paid the price for being nine points behind Celtic going into the World Cup break.

I know Giovani was still up for the fight and felt he would have turned things around had the Board stood by him. Giovanni had confidence in himself and his backroom staff that they would improve things, especially when a few of the injured players were fit again.

However, they decided to make a change. I feel for Giovanni but these things happen in football.

It is now about everyone getting behind the new man in charge in every game between now and the end of the season. I wish Michael the best of luck.