Michael Beale not satisfied with Rangers squad as Nicolas Raskin and Morgan Whittaker talks rumble on
Rangers are still engaged in negotiations for both Nicolas Raskin and Morgan Whittaker with Michael Beale clearly unsatisfied with his squad, according to Jordan Campbell.
The Light Blues boss suggested there were four positions he would like to add to following his team’s relatively comfortable, albeit controversial, 2-0 victory over St Johnstone on Saturday (28 January).
Midfield, centre-back, goalkeeper, and striker were those that he mentioned, and while the Bears are straining to add the Belgian Raskin at one of those spots in the face of stubborn resistance from Standard Liege, winger Whittaker appears to be extra to that, and the message is therefore clear that this squad has limitations right now says Campbell.
He wrote in The Athletic Sunday (29 January): “Will one or two players change that? It feels only a thorough rebuild can transform the energy in the team.
“Beale knows it, too, and chose to balance short-term and long-term politics when asked about transfers.
He went on: “Beale stressed he is in constant dialogue with sporting director Wilson and the board but in listing four positions he left no room for ambiguity. He believes there are areas that need upgrading.
“Rangers are still negotiating with Standard Liege and Swansea City over Nicolas Raskin and Morgan Whittaker. They would add two different profiles to the squad and may add the freshness that is so badly needed.”
Crunch
Standard and Swansea are both proving to be difficult customers to deal with, and with the transfer deadline fast-approaching there are now doubts that either can be completed in time.
If everybody was fit there would be numerous centre-back options so adding further at the position before the end of the month seems unlikely.
Goalkeeper is clearly going to need to be addressed sooner rather than later, and even if Robby McCrorie is seen as the man of the future there is a chance that both Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin are gone after the season, but that can wait for the summer.
Once push comes to shove on Ryan Kent’s situation it will be much clearer what Rangers need at wide positions, so perhaps if the current star does leave Whittaker can be revisited then.
It is the same with Alfredo Morelos so a striker is always on the cards to presumably add to Antonio Colak.
But midfield would benefit immediately with some more incision and creativity, so with Raskin having little prospect of adding anything in Belgium over the final six months of his contract he should surely be available before the deadline.
If Ross Wilson and Beale need to push anywhere that is probably the one, and then hope for some players to return to fitness and boost the options for assaults on two cups.
In other Rangers news, Michael Stewart clashed with his fellow BBC pundit over a controversial Light Blues incident he wasn’t happy with.