Rangers sack Michael Beale following poor start to the season

Rangers have sacked Michael Beale as their manager following their poor start to the season.

Calls for Beale to go increased after Rangers' 3-1 defeat at home to Aberdeen on Saturday with the players being booed off after the game at Ibrox.

The result leaves Gers seven points off Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic, putting the title hopes of Rangers in serious doubt.

And the decision has now been made to relieve former QPR boss Beale of his duties.

A statement from Rangers on Sunday evening read: «Results this season have fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect.

»Therefore, the decision was reached today to terminate the contract of the manager, as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Jack Ade."

Veteran midfielder Steven Davis will lead the interim management team.

The statement continued: «The club is pleased to announce that Steven Davis will lead the interim management team.

»The team will consist of former Rangers player and hugely experienced coach Alex Rae, former Rangers player and current coach Steven Smith, coach Brian Gilmour and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart."

Rangers chairman John Bennett said: «I'd like to thank Michael for his dedicated work since he rejoined the club as manager last November.

»It is clear that results have fallen well short of the board's, Michael's and our supporters' expectations.

«The search process for the new manager is already under way. I wish Steven Davis and the interim management team every success — they will remain in charge for as long as it takes to make the right appointment.»

Beale is dismissed just over ten months after returning to Glasgow, having previously served as an assistant when Steven Gerrard was in