Michael Beale needs Rangers January backing - Four Lads

His team recovered 'in-game' to get the result against Hibs. That was followed up with a terrific win at Pittodrie when we were treated to the type of late comeback rarely seen in recent years. That spirit has been missed.

Wins over Ross County and Motherwell were less about quality and more about routine. But four wins from five is positive in the current circumstances and a good start.

I suppose Beale's biggest concern matches up with the support's. Despite positive results and the rediscoved ability to grind out wins, there's not really been a performance bounce. The manager referenced "issues he didn't expect" after the 3-0 win against Motherwell. He clearly isn't totally satisfied with the performances yet.

It’s fair to say Beale may just be experiencing what a large portion of the fanbase has already been discussing. This team needs to be refreshed and big decisions are unavoidable.

Of course, we are second guessing but Beale must get to the bottom of these issues before he can unite and galvanise everyone going forward. He says he wants two or three signings in the door and they must be starters. That’s unavoidable now and freshness is a priority, but the levels of quality required are immediate. 

So what of the match itself? The first 30 minutes were terrible as we clung on and Celtic threatened to overrun us. Despite that, Ryan Kent hit the post and Alfredo Morelos had two headed opportunities that were more than decent. At half-time, we were very much in the game, even if the performance levels remained well short. 

Then two quickfire moments of brilliance from Fashion Sakala turned the game on its head. Kent’s finish was sublime and underlines exactly why we must pull out all the stops to keep him at Ibrox. James Tavernier's penalty was excellent after a direct run from Sakala won the spot-kick.

(Image: NQ)

Now, there is a train of thought that Rangers then penned Celtic in but sadly that’s not how the game transpired at all. The truth is that Celtic composed themselves and it became a midfield battle. We lost John Lundstram to injury and, up top, Morelos tired.

Beale had to change it from the bench. The only real opportunity for a third arrived when Cameron Carter-Vickers blocked Malik Tillman's shot.

The substitutions didn’t change the dynamic or make Rangers sit deep. Truthfully, the game had already gone that way. It frustrates me people can’t seem to wait for an opportunity to pin the blame on the manager.

Celtic did equalise but it didn't come as a fault of any substitution. It was another catastrophically bad defensive effort. Several players failed to clear their lines - Tavernier, guilty all day, was passed far too easily and sat down. Ryan Jack was easily beaten. From there, Rangers failed to clear, with too many caught ball-watching.

It summed up where the team are at this moment. Fragile in defence but more than capable of going forward and hurting teams.

READ MORE: Michael Beale didn't get Rangers substitutes wrong against Celtic

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Beale said: "None of you knows who I fancy or not because I’m playing the only options I have".

Well, we will find out very soon how true that all is.

Beale took a knife to a gunfight - but he almost won. Give him the proper backing and we’ll be on the right track. Make no mistake, that support is important, those big decisions are necessary and the all-conquering league leaders were made to look ordinary by a Rangers side whose levels are currently a way below expectation. 

I am very much enthusiastic with what I have seen so far from Beale, arguably he is overperforming with the resources currently available.

With a big January ahead, big decisions are unavoidable and Beale must be backed.