Rangers manager Michael Beale claims that he is targeting players he’s worked with before for his Ibrox revolution, sparking chatter about potential signings from Brazil.
Whilst the ex-Liverpool and Chelsea youth coach is well-revered by young players down south, and has a load of bumper connections with them, the Ibrox manager also had a stint as a coach with Sao Paolo.
Also having worked with Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard’s assistant and in a stint with QPR as manager, there more than a few options regarding the past clubs with whom Beale has been involved.
But it’s that stint in Brazil which threatens to throw a Rangers wildcard into the Michael Beale rebuild and which has some fans dreaming of South American talent landing on Scottish shores.
Michael Beale could look to Brazil this summer
“There’s players we are speaking to, there is targets,” said Michael Beale.
“You’re doing what every club will do, I won’t give you the ins and outs as you can imagine but I’m confident and happy with where things are right now.
“The first thing is ‘Do they fit Rangers not the price’. We are certainly in a country where we have to cut our cloth cleverly and according to the budget that we have, but it’s a [bosman] market that I’ll look at closely.
“If you look at this year with someone like Malik Tillman on a loan with an option, it’s always great as well for a player at a big club that maybe cannot break through.
“With me and my staff, the big thing is our network is very strong. If you add that then to the recruitment team here, we’re searching far and wide.
“If the window goes how I plan it to go, then you’ll be able to trace a lot of the players back to some that maybe I’ve worked with or you’ll be able to see the links, they’ll be clear.
“It’s important that we recruit strongly and we recruit the right type of people as well.”
The comments, which came ahead of the 5-2 victory over St Mirren, sent keyboards clattering as Rangers supporters mused over who their manager might be referring too.
But it’s the links to Brazil which has Rangers fans pretty intrigued as Michael Beale continues to raise expectations ahead of the summer.
