CHARLIE NICHOLAS has defended newly-appointed Rangers boss Michael Beale after he came under criticism for his actions before leaving QPR.

The Ibrox manager has been slammed by fans of the London club over his "loyalty and integrity" comments after knocking back Wolves - just six weeks before leaving for Glasgow.

Beale had been wanted by the Premier League club but decided against a move to Molineux to remain with QPR.

However, he couldn't turn down a return to Rangers with his previous comments being cast up by furious supporters.

But in his Scottish Daily Express column Nicholas stated the outcry was "ridiculous" as he pointed to the fact that Beale could have been sacked by QPR without issue saying "it works both ways".

He said: "It's ridiculous that some people are trying to take the moral high ground by accusing Michael Beale of disloyalty for quitting QPR for Rangers. Anyone who genuinely thinks there is much loyalty in football is kidding themselves.

"Angry QPR fans are calling Beale a hypocrite, reminding the manager of his explanation for rejecting the Wolves job last month, when he insisted 'integrity' and 'loyalty' were big things for him.

"However, if results had deteriorated at QPR, do you think their board would have thought twice about sacking him? It works both ways."

Beale has also been criticised for his public appearance at Ibrox for the Scottish Premiership match against Aberdeen.

The coach was in the stands as a guest for the match - but was questioned over his appearance with pressure mounting on Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Ex-Celtic striker Nicholas shutdown "conspiracy theorists" who claimed he was lined up for the job at that point as he branded the suggestion "nonsense".

He wrote: "A lot has also been made about Beale being invited back up to Ibrox in late October to take in the Aberdeen game. He also attended a London-based Rangers supporters' club to watch the team's Champions League qualifier against PSV Eindhoven in August. Big deal!

"All the conspiracy theorists are saying Steven Gerrard's former No.2 at Ibrox was obviously being lined up for Gio van Bronckhorst's job. It's nonsense.

"Beale can do what he wants. I don't recall anyone jumping to such conclusions when he was back in Glasgow. Nobody thought for a minute that he was coming back to Rangers.

"Beale himself probably didn't imagine the club would come calling, even if Van Bronckhorst was to be sacked. The only box that all this stuff ticks is Beale's desire to return to Rangers."

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