Beerman ready to fly the flag for Malta at Ibrox
I arrived with one mindset: to do whatever it took to get in the first team
THE list of Maltese sports people who found fame in Britain is not particularly populous. Children of the 1980s may recall fast-potting snooker player Tony Drago. More expert knowledge is required to summon further names.
For your average citizen of these shores, Malta inspires thoughts of a sunshine holiday far more readily than ideas of athletic excellence.
Myles Beerman hopes to help change that. At least where Rangers fans are concerned. Fiercely proud of his roots on the Mediterranean island, the 18-year-old made an impressive debut for the Ibrox club in Wednesday evening’s goalless draw against Kilmarnock.
The composure and attacking intent Beerman showed from left-back provided a positive for Pedro Caixinha during an otherwise drab affair in Ayrshire.
Previously part of Manchester City’s academy, the teenager joined Rangers last summer. First-team exposure has now arrived ahead of schedule. And with Lee Wallace facing at least three more weeks out, Beerman hopes other chances will follow.
Sunday’s visit to face Aberdeen and an Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final are two high-profile assignments looming on the horizon. Even further ahead, Beerman dreams of graduating from the Under-21s into Malta’s full squad when they visit Hampden for a World Cup qualifier in September.
Indeed, despite the relative lack of resources, Beerman never viewed his birthplace as a handicap to a sporting career.
‘The little island from the Mediterranean,’ he smiled. ‘Not many people know about the island, but we’ve got huge talent and it’s unbelievable how small a country it is. We’re very limited in what we can do but I believe in our country’s talent.
‘We’ve got the likes of Tony (Drago), Andre Schembri and Michael Mifsud.
‘Michael played for Coventry and Andre’s playing in Portugal just now in the top league (for Boavista). We have a few good shooters as well.
‘I haven’t played snooker, I’m not a fan, but there’s massive sports talent in the country. We’re really small but all we need is the exposure and the mentality from the kids to keep on developing and progressing forward.
‘My family and friends have always given me determination and motivation and even being from Malta always gives me motivation. It doesn’t matter where I’m from or anything.
‘All I wanted was to become a professional football player. I didn’t let any distractions get in my way and just kept focused.
‘Making my debut was different class. To play for such a massive club with such massive history, you can’t describe how I’m feeling right now.’
A search for inspirational stories of footballing excellence from small holiday islands obviously begins and ends with Cristiano Ronaldo. Tourists visiting Madeira now arrive at an airport bearing the name of the Real Madrid superstar.
‘Ronaldo is an exceptional player, possibly one of the best players ever,’ added Beerman.
‘I’ll never doubt my ability and I’ll keep working hard to prove my potential as much as I can.
‘I would love to be involved for Malta against Scotland later this year. I’ll grasp any opportunity that comes my way to take my career forward.’
That was why he signed for Rangers. Making it through the ranks at Manchester City can be akin to climbing Everest in a pair of running shoes.
‘I was at home on international duty in September and I got a phone call from my agent on transfer deadline day to say Rangers were interested,’ recalled Beerman.
‘Obviously, I was with Man City before but this was a brilliant opportunity for me.
‘People might have thought it was a downgrade for me to move from Man City to Rangers — but Rangers is a massive club with a massive history and it was a step closer to first-team football, so I took the opportunity.
‘I came with one mindset: to work hard and do whatever it took to get into the first team.
‘I’ve been playing Under-20 football all season but my main target and focus in my head was to make my debut and keep working to progress my career.’
Caixinha named his team to face Kilmarnock more than 30 hours ahead of kick-off, including centre-back David Bates as a second debutant amid a defensive injury crisis.
For his part, Beerman was grateful for the advice given to him by Wallace before he travelled to Rugby Park. The Ibrox skipper has undergone an abdominal operation which will keep him out of the Hampden semi-final against Celtic on April 23 — and possibly the final Old Firm league game six days later.
It remains to be seen whether Caixinha would consider blooding inexperienced players in such pressurised fixtures but Beerman insists he would be ready to answer the call.
‘I’d love to be involved,’ he said. ‘I’ll keep working hard and doing my best and it’s the manager’s decision. All I can do is work hard, show what I can do and perform. I’ve got to make sure I’m ready.
‘No matter your age or physicality, you’ve got to be ready mentally when the manager needs you as a Rangers player. You’ve got to be ready to go out there and perform, no matter the circumstances.
‘Against Kilmarnock, I knew I would be targeted because I’m a young lad, a new name, but I didn’t let that affect me whatsoever.
‘I stayed focused, analysed (Jordan) Jones and (Conor) Sammon before the game and ensured I was as ready as any player to make sure I wouldn’t be out of place and put in a top performance.’