The energy crisis has prompted thousands around the country to turn down or even switch off their heating this winter in a desperate bid to avoid exorbitant gas and electricity bills.

But receiving a hefty demand through the post is clearly not something that is worrying the high heid yins at Rangers, who last month announced they had posted a profit of £6m in the past financial year, unduly.

The radiators were up full as the nation’s media squeezed into the tiny confines of the iconic Blue Room inside Ibrox last night for the official unveiling of Michael Beale.

The stifling temperature led to a few of those in attendance, including your correspondent, to get a little uncomfortable under the collar.

Yet Beale, whose appointment has been questioned by numerous fans and pundits in recent days due to his lack of experience as a manager, was coolness personified throughout.

The 42-year-old Englishman may have extensive experience as a youth coach at Chelsea and Liverpool and might have been an assistant at Sao Paulo, Rangers and Aston Villa in the past.

But he has only spent five months and 22 games as the main man at Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers?

Can he really cope with the criticism, scrutiny and abuse which are sure to come his way at the Glasgow giants? There are many, many doubters.

Beale, though, did not break sweat once during a lengthy inquisition which included some difficult questions.

He was grilled about the remarks which he made about having integrity and showing loyalty to QPR after he turned down the chance to take over at Wolves last month.

He was quizzed about attending the cinch Premiership game against Aberdeen shortly after that when the pressure was mounting on Giovanni van Bronckhorst and he was being touted as a possible successor. 

He was probed for his views on the poor form which striker Alfredo Morelos, who is out of contract along with his team mate Ryan Kent in the summer, has shown this season.

He was asked if he had received any assurances from the Rangers board about how long he will be given to deliver success and silverware. 

Beale answered them all in his distinctive London accent without any bluster or deflection.

For somebody who was never really thrust into the spotlight during the three-and-a-half years which he spent working at under Steven Gerrard, it was an impressive debut

His assured performance augurs well for his reign in the Ibrox hot seat.

Many accomplished coaches and strong personalities have pitched up in the East End and Govan in the past and found themselves unable to function in what can be a claustrophobic environment.        

However, Beale came across as a focused, driven and intelligent individual who is going to be quite relaxed being the figurehead and focal point of the Scottish institution.

That is something which Gerrard, who he spoke of in glowing terms during the press conference, had in abundance. It is as important as having good man management skills and tactical nous. He is clearly not lacking in self-belief. 

If anything, he looked excited at the opportunity which he has been handed by a club he clearly has a huge amount of affection for.

“It's a hugely proud moment for me and my family,” he said. “It will all become very real, very quickly. I look forward to all of that. The 15th of December (when Rangers play Hibernian at home in their first match after the World Cup break) is a date I'm counting down to.

“Steven has been a huge influence on me as a person because he has very high standards and very high morals. In the three-and-a-half years I worked with him he brought me on a lot and enabled me to sit in a position like this. He brought me on a lot in terms of management and leadership.

“I don't want to compare myself to anybody. Steven is going to go on to be a fantastic manager with his staff. This is a new journey for me now.”

At one point in proceedings, the old grandfather clock which sits in the corner of the Blue Room chimed five o’clock as Beale was speaking. “Good timing!” he quipped.

The chance to become the 18th manager in the history of the 150-year-old club has come far earlier than he expected. For a few cynics, it has come far too early. A lot of supporters believe he should have spent longer learning his trade before taking such a seismic step.

But no alarm bells are ringing about the enormity of the challenge which awaits him at Rangers. He clearly intends to meet it head on. There will be no shortage or energy expended as he attempts to revive the ailing fortunes of the Ibrox club and restore them as the dominant force in Scotland.

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