Sir Kenny Dalglish: Michael Beale on early fact-finding mission over Rangers summer signing
Sir Kenny Dalglish believes Michael Beale will be on an early fact-finding mission over a potential summer 2023 signing in the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen on 15 January.
Beale opted to start with the tried and trusted Alan McGregor for the feisty fixture a decision that may be telling in future transfer dealings.
Dalglish confessed that Beale’s goalkeeper conundrum could be an “early fact-finding mission” over whether he should sign a new goalkeeper in the summer.
“There will also be plenty of interest in who Michael selects as his goalkeeper,” said Dalglish in his column for the Sunday Post (15 January).
“At the moment, he seems split between Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin.
“Maybe Michael wants to give Jon a run to see how he shapes up for next season and if he has what it takes to succeed Allan in the long term.
“This could be an early fact-finding mission to see if he needs to bring in a No. 1 in the summer.”
Priority.
Regardless of who gets the start against Aberdeen and subsequently becomes Beale’s go-to man between the sticks for the rest of the campaign, signing a new goalkeeper in the summer must be a priority.
Allan McGregor has been past it for a while now and arguably should have been replaced this season and whilst McLaughlin has done little wrong, he isn’t the man for the job permanently.
If the Gers want to progress and challenge Celtic on every front next season then a young, consistent and hungry goalkeeper is needed to lead their charge from the back.
Beale has already ruled out signing a new keeper in January so for now, the position will be a straight shootout between McGregor and McLaughlin.
Finding a long-term solution for Rangers’ no.1 position will be tough and the club may have to go through a trial and error period initially.
With luck, Beale will already have a suitable target in mind.
In other Rangers news, an Old Firm transfer battle has heated up in a major way with big money on the horizon from an unexpected source.