Michael Beale named Rangers manager on three-and-a-half year deal as he makes emotional Ibrox return

Michael Beale has completed an emotional return to Rangers after being appointed as the club’s 18th permanent manager little more than one year after leaving Ibrox. The 42-year-old was first team coach under Steven Gerrard but has left Queens Park Rangers after just six months to become Light Blues boss, signing a three-and-a-half year deal.

Beale succeeds sacked Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who replaced Gerrard when he moved to Aston Villa, for what is the Londoner’s second senior managerial job after moving to Loftus Road in the summer following spells assisting Gerrard at both Rangers and at Villa Park. After Gers made an official approach on Saturday, permission was granted for him to speak to his former club. Beale, who recently knocked back English Premier League outfit Wolves, will take charge of his first competitive game in the Scottish Premiership clash with Hibs in the opening top flight fixture after the World Cup winter break on December 15. His immediate task to try to cut the nine-point gap to leaders and rivals Celtic.

However, he will have one opportunity to field a team prior to that when the Light Blues take on German side Bayer Leverkusen in a mid-season friendly at Ibrox on December 10.

Rangers Chairman, Douglas Park, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Michael as our new manager as we aim to strengthen our on-field performance.

"Michael is a very exciting appointment for us, and his energy and ambition stood out both when he was here previously, and in the discussions we have had prior to him re-joining.

“The board will support both Michael and Ross Wilson to make this appointment a success, and I wish him the very best going forward."

Beale was delighted to be back at Ibrox, telling the club's