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To become manager of Rangers Football Club you have to have a degree of gravitas and in Michael Beale, the Ibrox hierarchy will be hoping he is capable of making that transition from coach to manager.

His return to the club has been met with a mixed response, which is perhaps understandable given his lack of managerial experience. He has been his own man for just five months.

There would be very little chance the QPR boss would’ve been approached to take over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst had he not had a previous relationship with the powers that be at Ibrox.

He has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal and is charged with bringing success back to the Govan but, as is the case with every managerial appointment, it is a gamble.

Rangers have had varied success in the past with coaches who’ve made the step up from assistant to first-team manager. The fanbase will certainly be hoping Beale is more Walter Smith than Ally McCoist.

Speaking of which, the legendary Rangers striker has aired his concerns over the appointment. Speaking to talkSPORT, he was asked how he would rate the Beale move out of 10. He replied: “It’s not going to be a 10 and it’s not going to be a one. It’s somewhere in-between – probably about a six to tell you the truth.

“I 100 per cent give him my total support because whoever takes the job you want them to do well but I’m a little bit surprised, I can’t lie to you. I’m very aware Michael Beale knows the club and did very well with the players beforehand and the players seem very comfortable with him which is probably the main reason he’s getting the job.

“Flip side of the coin, I’m surprised because they’ve gone for someone with a lack of experience in terms of management. He started very well at QPR but they have lost four of their last five. He’s not getting it on current form. He’s getting it on what he’s done previously under Steven Gerrard. It’s definitely a surprise because I genuinely thought they might have gone for someone with more experience.

“But it’s obviously a gamble the board feel is worth taking and time will tell. The fans will, understandably, get behind him right away but it’s a big job and the biggest thing he’s got to do is get the recruitment sorted. He knocked back Wolves so I’d imagine QPR’s nose will be out of joint because when he said no to Wolves they would make the assumption he’s really happy at QPR and want to stay there and do the job but the lure of Rangers has been too great but I can understand that.”

McCoist raises some valid points and the fact Beale knocked back Wolves a matter of weeks ago citing loyalty and integrity to the Championship side hasn’t gone down well with the Loftus Road faithful.

That being said, the fact an English Premier League outfit felt someone with so little managerial experience was befitting to lead their club tells you how highly he’s regarded.

If he’s good enough for Wolves, he should be good enough for Rangers.

Personally, there are nagging doubts as to whether he will be able to overhaul an ageing squad that is at the end of its cycle and his style of play at QPR is very similar to that of Van Bronckhorst’s side.

Rangers Review: (Image: NQ)

Speaking to R’s supporter Alex Bullamore, he highlighted defensive set-piece problems, struggles to break down teams in a low block and poor deliveries into the penalty box. All sounds very familiar, doesn’t it?

All things considered, McCoist’s six out of 10 assessment is probably fair. The onus is on Beale and his coaching staff to deliver and show they are capable of managing this behemoth of a sporting institution.

He is highly regarded by supporters and players alike for what he achieved as a coach but that will count for nothing if he doesn’t produce results and performances on the pitch.

Rangers are effectively buying potential and we should expect some bumps in the road along the way but as long as there is a belief, as there was with Gerrard, that he will eventually lead the club to glory then it will be a gamble well worth taking.

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