Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd is hailing the signings of Danilo, Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers with Antonio Colak and the dramatically-underperforming Alfredo Morelos making way at Ibrox.
Some at Ibrox may have concerns about how quickly a all-new spine can adapt to life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl – Jack Butland, Abdallah Sima, Danilo, Dessers and Lammers among a host of fresh faces – but Rangers need only look across the city for inspiration.
Celtic, after all, stormed to the Premiership title during Ange Postecoglou’s first season at the helm; Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota and Liel Abada proving that ‘Scottish football experience’ is not necessarily a prerequisite to success.
Beale will be hoping that Danilo, Dessers, Lammers and Sima – a quartet of forwards arriving since the start of June – can make a similarly immediate impact, while cutting the gap between the Old Firm rivals at the top of the table.
Boyd certainly believes Rangers are in a better position to challenge for domestic silverware in 2023/24. Especially after shipping out the rather one-dimensional Colak and another striker who, during much of the last 18 months, has looked a pale imitation of his once rambunctious best.
Rangers transform Mick Beale’s frontline
“A rebuild was needed at Rangers. They have brought in a number of players,” Boyd tells the Scottish Sun.
“Last season, they played virtually the whole season without a striker. Antonio Colak came in at the start but once he was injured, he fell away a bit. And Alfredo Morelos was nowhere near the required standard.
“That had a knock-on effect on the team. That front area needed addressing, and I think Beale has done that.”
Danilo scored 14 goals last season as Feyenoord won the Eredivisie title. Dessers, Sima and Lammers have proven prolific in the past too, although all three arrive after difficult campaigns.
Morelos and Colak out, Dessers and Danilo in
“When you look across the city, Celtic’s recruitment has been very good,” Boyd adds. “The players Ange brought in hit the ground running, and were able to take them to the next level.
“Beale will hope for the same impact from his new signings. It’s evident that they have gone more of a physical route. But having options will help as that’s something Gers have not had.
“Regardless of whether he was fit, Morelos played every game. I don’t think that’s a good place to be as a club when you have only one under-performing striker to rely on.
“Now if you’re not performing, you won’t play, and for a big club you need to have players who push you on.”
