Rangers told they should have lured 41-year-old working at Premier League club to Ibrox, by Halliday

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Andy Halliday has told Open Goal that Rangers should have considered promoting Michael Beale as manager – before he joined Aston Villa.

Steven Gerrard last week to join Premier League side Villa – penning a contract until June 2025. His entire coaching staff has followed him.

That includes Tom Culshaw, Scott Mason and Jordan Milsom – as well as first-team coach Beale. Beale has also worked with Gerrard at Liverpool.

But the 41-year-old was branded the brains behind Gerrard’s Rangers spell. He has followed Gerrard to Villa, and will be in the dugout this weekend.

Rangers are yet to bring in a replacement, but reports are pointing towards the appointment of Gio van Bronckhorst. Halliday has other ideas.

He believes van Bronckhorst is a good fit, but the ex-Rangers man thinks his old club should have offered the job to Beale – having worked under him.

“He [GVB] plays a good style, 4-3-3, so it is not a massive transition coming in. I would have offered Michael Beale the job,” Halliday said.

“His first conversation would have been with Gerrard, and he will have asked ‘do you want to come with me?’”

Halliday on Beale: Why van Bronckhorst is the better Rangers fit

It is hardly Beale’s fault. He knows the Rangers players and will have gained the trust of those that have starred under the guidance of Gerrard.

But what makes van Bronckhorst the better option is two-fold. Firstly, his past at Rangers – playing 117 times at Rangers and winning five trophies.

Secondly, it is van Bronckhorst’s stature. His record is a manager is excellent, but it is his name in the game that will attract players to Rangers.

Gerrard has it, Beale does not. Van Bronckhorst played for Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona – and has 106 caps for the Netherlands. He is a draw.