Rangers first team coach Michael Beale rolled out the red carpet for a coach from Brazil on Sunday, as the Gers beat Hamilton 1-0 to move to the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Beale, who followed Steven Gerrard to Ibrox in the summer as part of his coaching staff, had a spell in Brazilian football as an assistant coach at giants Sao Paulo.
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 14th |
| 2023–24 | 9th |
| 2022–23 | 14th |
| 2021–22 | 7th |
| 2020–21 | 6th |
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 16th |
| 2023–24 | 14th |
| 2022–23 | 13th |
| 2021–22 | 10th |
| 2020–21 | 13th |
He worked under Rogerio Ceni, who is now in charge of Fortaleza, and with Charles Hembert, who is on Ceni's coaching staff.
Fortaleza have won this season's Brazilian Serie B title, meaning they will be playing top flight football in the country next year.
Great to spend some time with my French brother @charles_hembert in Glasgow. We shared a huge life experience together in Brazil. Amazing times. Now for a nice dinner and to celebrate his fantastic season with @FortalezaEC #campeons pic.twitter.com/8EdMmRg0BN
— Michael Beale (@MichaelBeale) December 16, 2018
And Beale welcomed Hembert to Rangers on Sunday, posting a photograph of himself inside Ibrox with his fellow coach.
Beale wrote: "Great to spend some time with my French brother Charles Hembert in Glasgow.
"We shared a huge life experience together in Brazil. Amazing times.
"Now for a nice dinner and to celebrate his fantastic season with Fortaleza EC", he added.
Fortaleza finished top of Brazil's Serie B by taking 71 points from their 38 games, nine more than second placed CSA.
The club's stadium hosted no fewer than six games in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 9th (Championship) |
| 2023–24 | 5th (Championship — lost in play‑off semi‑finals) |
| 2022–23 | 9th (Championship) |
| 2021–22 | 10th (Championship) |
| 2020–21 | 19th (Premier League) |
