Rangers boss Michael Beale has confirmed the club are on the hunt for a new central defender, just days after fielding questions on Millwall centre-half Jake Cooper.
With only two days left in the transfer window the hunt is on for Rangers to bolster their squad with several names being banded around in the press.
Amongst the most high-profile are Standard Liege star Nicolas Raskin and Swansea City attacker Morgan Whittaker, who have all but been confirmed as Ibrox targets by the forthcoming Rangers manager.
But after the 2-0 victory over St Johnstone, the Rangers manager has also been discussing some other areas the club are looking to recruit in either in the next 48 hours or in the summer.
This includes a goalkeeper, a defender, an athletic player in midfield and a new number 9, with Michael Beale insisting everyone at Rangers is working hard to bolster competition in the squad.
“I would like us to add a midfielder to the squad that’s powerful and can run,” said Michael Beale [Rangers].
“I would like to have another centre-half and we will be looking at the goalkeeper situation in the summer. We will be looking for another number nine.
“Are we going to get all that done in the next 48 hours? There’s more time in the summer. It’s got to be the right players but nobody wants to strengthen this squad more than Ross, the board and myself. It’s in our interest to build a stronger Rangers than we have right now.”
Michael Beale confirms Rangers defender hunt amid Jake Cooper links
Watching Rangers fans will be interested to hear that Michael Beale is on the hunt for a new defender, especially after the manager fielded question on Millwall star Jake Cooper ahead of the Saints clash.
Rangers do have a host of options at the heart of central defence, including Connor Goldson, Ben Davies, Filip Helander, John Souttar and Leon King, but major injuries have disrupted the position this season.
In fact, much of Rangers’ stuttering performances at home and abroad this campaign have come due to the uncertainty in this position and another option isn’t exactly a terrible idea, especially with Helander and Souttar still yet to return from injury.
As reported by Four Lads Had a Dream, Michael Beale refused to rule out a move for Jake Cooper, who is entering the final six months of his deal at Millwall.
Millwall star Jake Cooper was a reported £3m Rangers target back in 2018 when Michael Beale was working as an assistant to Steven Gerrard.
Now 27, the left-sided defender might provide the perfect competition to Ben Davies at Ibrox and given the Rangers boss has now admitted the club want a new centre-back, it’s certainly an interesting one to keep an eye on.
Jake Cooper has played 27 times for Millwall this season, with his two goals and solid defence showings helping the Lions to 8th in the English Championship table.
Meanwhile, as Rangers look at potential new contracts, the Joe Aribo situation at Southampton can serve as a warning to hesitant players.
