Even without using a balancing pole or wearing thin, leather-soled slippers, Michael Beale has a track record as an accomplished tightrope walker. Or at least he did as Steven Gerrard’s assistant. When they were together at Rangers from 2018 to 2021 the club faced 13 start-of-season European qualifying ties and came through 12 of them. It was an annual high wire act and they nearly always pulled it off.

Beale is at the start of the rope again. On July 24 Rangers will learn their opponents in the Champions League third qualifying round. They are seeded and will face one from Racing Genk (Belgium), Dnipro (Ukraine), Servette (Switzerland), Panathinaikos (Greece), Sturm Graz (Austria) and TSC Backa Topola (Serbia). Survive that round and they will be

Enjoy unlimited digital access. £1 for 6 months.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Rangers complete sixth summer transfer with signing of Cyriel Dessers