Hutton suggests real reason Michael Beale rejected Wolves amid 'huge' Rangers claim
Alan Hutton has claimed Michael Beale rejected Wolves to hold out for the Rangers job.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers defender said it would be "silly" to think that a potential vacancy at Ibrox did not cross Beale's mind when negotiating with Wolves.
Last month (20 October), this site revealed that the 42-year-old had been in advanced talks to be the new Wolves manager.
The then QPR boss ultimately turned down the move.
Speaking to club media (20 October), Beale cited his "integrity" and "loyalty" as his reason for staying at the Championship club.
On 28 November Rangers confirmed the appointment of Beale, just over a month after reaffirming his commitment to QPR.
When asked if a potential vacancy at Rangers was in the back of Beale's mind when he chose to reject Wolves, Hutton told Football Insider: "Yes.
"I think to sit here and say no he never thought of that would just be silly. I think it would have probably been in the back of his mind.
"Of course he was concentrating on QPR at the time. I do not think for me that Wolves was that appealing to him. I think that would have been a difficult job to go into considering where they're at at this moment in time.
"Obviously being at Rangers, understanding the club, knowing what it is all about. There is an opportunity to win trophies, play on European nights, I think that ticks all the boxes for him.
"Probably knowing a lot of the playing squad and people around the stadium, he probably felt a little bit at home. So I think it was probably an opportunity that was too big to turn down."