Brian Laudrup on the Ibrox identity crisis

Without any hint of irony Brian Laudrup believes that Michael Beale is inheriting an identity crisis at Ibrox.

While he is referring to the shapeless performances on the park the need to pretend that nothing really happened in 2012 is one of the many issues at Ibrox.

Grand stories about a unique institution and the demand to win every match and trophy don’t really stack up against a trophy haul surpassed by St Johnstone over the last decade.

Beale is sending out all the right messages, with added gloss from the media messengers but on the park he has a disgruntled squad to get a tune out of with three or four regular starters in the final six months of their contracts.

Midweek trips to Aberdeen and Ross County on December 20 and 23 will highlight the issues that the former QPR boss has taken on with a side devoid of plans or purpose.

In the Daily Mail Laudrup explains:

Beale has to quickly implement a recognisable style of play. And give Rangers back their on-field identity. From there, performances and results can follow.

The club had it under Steven Gerrard and Beale when the league was won two seasons ago. Some of the football was superb — slick and modern. Players and coaching staff were all on the same page.

But an identity has been missing this season. Unfortunately, in the last few months under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, no one really seemed sure what kind of team Rangers wanted to be or where they were heading.

Of course, Beale has to put up a better fight in the league this season. Winning a cup would be a decent result. But, in terms of moving ahead, the most vital thing is to re-establish a style of play capable of creating momentum. In that sense, Beale is well positioned to make a positive impact.

Saturday’s closed doors friendly against Swansea at Murray Park has been postponed.