Agbonlahor: Rangers fans tipped to turn on Michael Beale after ‘big’ BBC reveal
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Michael Beale must get off to a strong start as Rangers manager or the fans may turn on him.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed some of the Rangers fanbase will be “wary” of Beale’s return to Ibrox.
The club confirmed last week (28 November) that the 42-year-old had been appointed as their 18th permanent manager.
He previously spent over three years at Ibrox as part of Steven Gerrard’s coaching staff before following him to Aston Villa last year.
He quit Villa Park in the summer to take on his first managerial job at Queens Park Rangers and guided them to the play-off positions in the English Championship before his return to Rangers.
As quoted by BBC Sport earlier this week (1 December), Beale insisted that he needs to install an identity into the side before they could think about winning the title.
He insisted the festive period will play a “big part” in what his team could do this season.
Asked whether he thought Beale would be a success as Rangers manager, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I think Michael Beale has got to do well.
“In his first few games, he’s got to make sure there are no hiccups and no defeats.
“The Rangers fans, some of them, will be a bit wary of him coming back.”
Rangers return to competitive action later this month (15 December) when they host Hibs at Ibrox.
They are currently nine points behind Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership after 15 games played.
In other news, Rangers are plotting a January move to sign a striker wanted by Celtic.