Rangers may buy new defender in January with money tight at Ibrox
Gareth McAuley doesn’t think that Rangers will provide a “load of money” to Michael Beale in the January window after he was confirmed as the 18th manager of the club on Monday (28 November).
The former Gers defender wrote in his column for Belfast Telegraph (as relayed by The Daily Record on 29 November, page 49) that Beale could be able to bring in one defender at best in January, and he cannot buy himself out of trouble.
The Daily Record (28 November, page 50) reported that Beale will demand a “transfer guarantee” from the club, but in all probability, he may have to weave his magic with the available resources he has got.
“I really don’t think it will be a case of the new manager being given a load of money in January,” wrote McAuley.
“Rangers will not be able to buy their way out of trouble. The players at the club will need to be developed and improved – that’s Mick’s forte.
“He may be able to bring in a defender in the absence of Connor Goldson but that’s probably all the business they will do in January.”
January window
Beale rejected a move to Wolves previously but the lure of managing Rangers was too good to turn down.
His appointment is a big gamble. He has got little (negligible) experience in management and doubts remain about how he will cope under high pressure.
Beale needs to be backed in the transfer market. The squad needs a massive overhaul after a poor start to the season but Beale will need more than one transfer window to rebuild the squad to his own taste.
The defence is one area that needs bolstering in the January window. The likes of Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and John Souttar are currently injured, and fresh addition is required.
The biggest challenge for Beale will be to keep hold of the star players at the club. Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Ryan Jack have only a few months left on their deals, and it’s unclear at the moment what the future holds for them.
Beale did a tremendous job as an assistant manager under Steven Gerrard at Ibrox in the first term, and the Gers board has taken a big leap of faith in him. Let’s hope, he can deliver and close the gap with Celtic in the second half of the season.
In other Rangers news, Beale could be facing a mass exodus of players at Ibrox once he arrives.