Michael Beale: QPR boss finalising Rangers move amid stinging criticism over ‘integrity and loyalty’ speech

QPR manager Michael Beale is in Glasgow to finalise a deal to take over at Rangers.

Beale was given permission to speak to the Scottish club about replacing Giovanni van Bronckhorst and returning to Ibrox, where he was assistant to former manager Steven Gerrard.

The 47-year-old turned down the chance to take over at Wolves last month, but there is an expectation on all sides that he will now leave Loftus Road.

Beale has led QPR to seventh in the Championship after 21 games. They are targeting promotion to the Premier League, and losing Beale is a blow for the west London club, who will work on quickly securing a replacement.

Beale is facing criticism from QPR fans after he spoke about “integrity and loyalty” when he turned down Wolves.

“Integrity is a real big thing for me, and loyalty,” he said last month. “You don’t give it to receive it back, but if those are the things you live by, then at times when you are put in a position you have to be strong by them.

“I don’t think we are anywhere near where I want QPR to be as a group. I’m enjoying working with them, we’ve got a lot to do, but I’m excited by it.

“There’s going to be some bumps in the road, but I’ve been all in here and I’ve asked other people to be all in, so I can’t be the first person to run away from the ship.”

But the lure of Rangers and his connection with the Scottish club has proved too strong. During his time at Ibrox with Gerrard, Rangers won the Scottish title, before the pair moved on to Aston Villa last year. Beale then took over at QPR last summer.

Beale, who has a close relationship with Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson, was at the Ibrox club’s training ground today to finalise his appointment. It has been reported QPR will be due £1.5million in compensation.

Van Bronckhorst was sacked last week, six months after guiding Rangers to the Europa League Final. Rangers are second in the Scottish Premier League, nine points behind Celtic.