Rangers manager Michael Beale has confirmed that the club hope to complete “two or three” January transfers following the 2-2 draw with Celtic.
The injury-ravaged Gers hobbled to the World Cup break under Giovanni van Bronckhorst but after sacking the Dutchman have begun to find their feet under the former Ibrox assistant.
Michael Beale remains unbeaten in his first five games in charge and can count himself unlucky for not making it five from five after Rangers conceded a late equaliser against Celtic.
But after previously discussing Rangers transfers and a need to properly assess his squad when those who’ve been crocked return, it’s clear the club is looking to pounce in this window.
Rangers remain without Filip Helander, John Souttar, Ridvan Yilmaz, Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence, whilst the likes of Kemar Roofe and Antonio Colak are only returning from injury.
This season the club has also had spells without Connor Goldson, Ben Davies, Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, and Alex Lowry and it has – quite clearly – contributed to the Premiership collapse.
Rangers boss talks January transfers
Still nine points behind Celtic following the 2-2 draw at Ibrox, and with Rangers’ title hopes all but extinguished, Beale addressed the media and claims the club are looking at transfers in the days and weeks ahead.
“It is Celtic’s to throw away in terms of the league,” said Beale.
“But in terms of our mentality and where we are I think we are one or two steps ahead than we were a few weeks ago but we need to be ten more.
“I definitely want to bring in players but they’ve got to be the right players. We need people to come in that will be big players for Rangers in the next two to three years.
“I want John Souttar fit, Ridvan (Yilmaz), Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence, Kemar Roofe and Antonio Colak, that will be a start.
“If we can add two or three more to it then we could have a second team as good as the first team that was out there today, then it’s game on inside the building. You have to earn your shirt.
“I think the last few weeks people have played regardless. None of you know whether I fancy these players or not because they are the players I’ve got. They’ve gone and got the results up until today, they were three minutes away from getting a good performance and I think that should maybe move people’s minds a bit.”
Rangers fans have already begun to change their minds on several players in the squad who have been perennial let downs for the club in recent seasons, particularly against Celtic.
It’s clear change is needed and transfers will play a big part of that at Rangers, but the question then becomes who goes and who comes in.
Here’s our match report from the 2-2 draw with Celtic.
