With Lockdown Gerrard’s luck was in, by that stage Beale was for many fans the real boss with the former Liverpool skipper put in front of the cameras to keep fans and sponsors amused.
Injuries to Tony Ralston and Alistair Johnston opened the door for McPherson to get promoted into the first team, turning out in the two matches in Japan as well as against Wolves in Dublin.
Last season in Italy and now at Ibrox on European nights Dessers will know that if he wants to run into his own penalty box, lift his hands and strike the ball a penalty will be awarded. It happens to every team in football.
After scouring the globe Beale turned to Italy to sign two strikers freshly relegated from Serie A. Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers had their journeyman careers hyped beyond belief but when the talking stopped they have misfired.
Getting Johnston back into the side to the right of Cameron Carter-Vickers will bring some stability to the Celtic defence after the pre-season disruptions, giving Rodgers a better idea of what is required to strengthen his defence.
Lagerbielke appears to fit the bill but that also applies to Royal Antwerp who face the winners of the postponed AEK Athens v Dinamo Zagreb Champions League tie in a Play Off at the end of this month.
Beale could soon be getting ranked alongside Pedro Caixinha, Graeme Murty and Mark Warburton. Some bears are reviewing Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s 368 days in charge which delivered a European final, the Scottish Cup and Champions League football.
Beale used to bask in the image of being a tactical wizard, apparently he was the brains of Steven Gerrard’s management team which actually says more about the others than the geezer that set out the bibs and cones for Gary McAllister.
After being a regular in the Lowland League last season stepping up to play in the Championship is essential for McPherson’s game to kick on.
Once again the lack of width and pace acted like a ball and chain on Beale’s side, when you throw on Scott Wright a fortnight after tying to dump him in Turkey you know that options are limited.