SAVING GRACE

Cammy: It's been a tough start to the season for Gers but things would have been a lot worse without classy No.1 Jack

- ANDY NENPONT

MICHAEL BEALE is clinging on to his job by his fingernails.

But Cammy Bell reckons the Rangers boss has keeper Jack Butland to thank for the fact he's still got any grip on the situation at all.

Out of the Champions League before the groups in humiliating fashion and four points behind a Celtic side that were struggling themselves before last week's Old Firm win, it has been a turbulent start to the campaign.

But were it not for his new No.1, things may have already reached breaking point, according to former Ibrox shotstopper Bell.

It was Butland's brave stop in Geneva that spared the club an even earlier exit from UEFA's top tourney as they edged past Servette. The former England international then put on a one-man show of defiance while those in front of him collapsed in the face of a PSV pummelling.

And he was back at it when making a couple of crucial stops last week as Brendan Rodgers' Hoops claimed first blood in the opening Old Firm showdown of the season.

That sparked a bloodlust for Beale's sacking just four games into Premiership battle.

Bell told Record Sport: "It's been a difficult start for Michael Beale and I'm pretty sure he will be thankful Butland has turned up and put in the performances they were expecting when he signed.

"I always thought he would be a good signing for Rangers and so far he's proving it. For me, he ticks a lot of boxes.