Kyle Lafferty has suggested that Michael Beale could be the man to replace Steven Gerrard as Glasgow Rangers manager when he eventually leaves the club.

Gerrard is the current boss at Ibrox and has been in the hot-seat for two years, and Beale is one of his coaches at the club. He already has a glittering CV, having spent time at Liverpool, Chelsea and even Sao Paulo in Brazil as assistant manager.

Whilst Lafferty has praised Gerrard, he believes that Beale is even more important to the 54-time Scottish champions. He told Open Goal:

"The longer I was there I started to realise, Michael Beale, I think he’s the man behind it, No disrespect to Steven Gerrard, because I think he’s an amazing manager, where he has taken the club from day one to now is night and day – he’s made Rangers a force again in Scotland and Europe, but Michael Beale is behind the scenes and I think he’s the brains behind it. Tactically he’s amazing.”

"I think if Steven Gerrard went – and everyone knows he’s lined up for Liverpool at some stage – if he went to Liverpool and Michael Beale stayed there, I think wouldn’t be a change. I think Michael Beale is into everything, detail and he could probably step up to be manager because he’s that good."

This is big praise for Beale and it could well be something for Ross Wilson and co to consider when Gerrard eventually departs. Giving Beale the job would see some continuity at the club and would therefore not be too much of a culture shock for the players who are already there.

For now, Gerrard needs all the support he can get in order to end Celtic's long-standing Premiership dominance - but it is good from the Light Blues' perspective that they have a potential back-up plan in Beale should they need it.

'Gers  fans, do you agree with Lafferty's endorsement of Beale as a potential successor to Gerrard? Let us know what you think by commenting below!