Kyle Lafferty reckons Michael Beale is the brains behind the management operation at Rangers.

The ex-Ibrox ace played for a season under Steven Gerrard and his first-team coach Beale.

Lafferty grew even more impressed with the former Sao Paulo coach during his second spell at the club.

Michael Beale (left) is a key part of Rangers' management operation working under Steven Gerrard. Picture: SNS

Beale plays a key role at Ibrox in training and forming tactical plans, especially for European matches where an even greater importance is put on the strategic approach.

Andy Halliday, speaking to The Athletic, called him “probably the best coach I’ve worked under”.

Lafferty can see Beale, who has coached at Chelsea and Liverpool, stepping up to become the Rangers manager when Gerrard leaves.

"The longer I was there I started to realise, Michael Beale, I think he's the man behind it,” he told Si Ferry on Open Goal.

"No disrespect to Steven Gerrard who I think is 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 the Premiership 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 Gerrard went to Liverpool and Michael Beale stayed there wouldn't be a change.

"I think Michael Beale is into everything, detail and he could step up to be manager because he's that good."

'He's the brains behind it' - Kyle Lafferty makes Rangers coach claim as he pinpoints Steven Gerrard's successor