KENNY DALGLISH reckons Michael Beale is fighting a losing battle against Ange Postecoglou.
The Celtic legend firmly believes his old club will retain their title to make it a superb total of eleven crowns in 12 years.
Dalglish insisted it would take “one helluva collapse” for the champions to surrender their nine-point advantage and allow Beale to take the championship to Ibrox.
WAVING FAREWELL…Giovanni van Bronckhorst appears to signal intent to Ange Postecoglou with the managers on the touchline last season.
Postecoglou will face his third Govan opponent in his 18 months at Celtic when he takes his players across Glasgow for the meeting on January 2. The 57-year-old Greek-Australian has already gone head to head with Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst and it’s now the turn of the Englishman to offer resistance.
Beale, who returned to Scotland after a brief stint with Gerrard at Aston Villa and then as a boss for the first time at Queens Park Rangers to take over from the axed Dutchman last month, has been talking about the challenge he faces to turn things around.
But Dalglish warned: “Regardless of any improvement he gets from the current players, and any new ones he adds next month, I think the title will still stay at Celtic.
“Ange Postecoglou has that football club in a really good position. There appears to be leadership and cohesion in all the key areas.
SILVERWARE SUCCESS…manager Ange Postecoglou with the Premiership and the League Cup won in his debut campaign in the Celtic trophy room.
“It would require one helluva collapse at Celtic for them not to be crowned champions come May.
“But Rangers must not throw the towel in. Michael’s aim should be to reduce Celtic’s lead at the top – and really go for a domestic Cup.
“Giovanni van Bronckhorst won the Scottish Cup last season, and that was satisfactory. That success came just three days after they had lost the Europa League Final to Eintracht Frankfurt.
“Just six months later Giovanni was out the door.
“That shows the expectation levels at Rangers, and the size of the task Michael faces.”
Dalglish, speaking to the Sunday Post, added: “Some people say you should never go back to a club you’ve been to before. I don’t read too much into that.
HAIL HAIL…Ange Postecoglou, extreme left, lets the players take the spotlight following the 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice on May 11 that sealed the 2021/22 Premiership title.
“I went back for second spells at Liverpool and Celtic. If you want something, then go for it. If you do well, it’s been a great move If you don’t, then that will be cast up.
“Success is judged on winning games and winning silverware.
“As I’ve always said, any manager stands a better chance if everyone at the football club, from top to bottom, pulls in the same direction.”
Beale sets out on his road to discovery when Hibs are the visitors a week on Thursday when the Premiership restarts after the World Cup break in Qatar.
Celtic face the trip to Pittodrie to take on Aberdeen two days later with a 12.30pm kick-off.
Let battle recommence!
