Rangers FC coach Michael Beale had recently claimed that the Gers perform better in Europe because Scottish football is not as technically sound as the other major tournaments in Europe.
This comment came earlier this week after Rangers lost yet another Premiership game, this time going down 1-0 to Hamilton and thereby falling 12 points behind league leaders Celtic FC.
Beale said, as quoted: “The style of play is very similar to the Premier League or the Champions League or continental leagues.
“I think in Scotland we play football in a way that is very unique to Scotland.
“Not many other places play football like that. I think long balls lead to a lot of unpredictability in football and in the game you take the press off the first pass. And if the first pass goes into your 18-yard box as it does in Scotland then it’s difficult.
“I think the games are refereed in a certain way and I think the games (in Europe) are played less physically and more technically. That suits a lot of the players we have.”
While there might be some truth in this but BBC journalist Tom English has slammed Beale for his comments and Rangers FC failure to adapt like their Glasgow rivals.
English said, as quoted: “He says they are more suited to European football. Where does Michael think that Rangers play!? Portugal, Spain, Holland? It’s incredible. It’s an extraordinary comment.
“That’s ignoring all the money they have spent going up against teams who have the fraction, a tiny fraction of their budget and are beating Rangers.
“Also ignoring the fact if Scotland is a long ball country adapt to it like Celtic have. Celtic have adapted to it.
“No matter the circumstances domestically they find a way of winning and have signed the right players with the right mentality.
“You saw it yesterday against St Johnstone. Far from a stellar Celtic performance but they dug it out and found a way to win because they are good pros who understand what it is to be a Celtic player.”
