Rangers board served ‘reality check’ in transfer dealings by Celtic – BBC Sport journo
Rangers loss against Celtic in the Viaplay Cup final served the Ibrox board a “reality check” on what can be done if money is spent wisely at the club, according to BBC Sport journalist Nick McPheat.
McPheat confessed that Celtic provided a display of what can be done if a huge turnover of players is navigated correctly, something Rangers face at the end of this season.
The journalist admitted how Celtic profited from spending big last summer with marquee signings such as Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi becoming difference makers.
“Rangers went into last weekend’s final with renewed optimism. They were yet to taste defeat under Beale – winning 13 of his first 14 games in charge – but the loss was a reality check for the Englishman, who acknowledges the work he has to do,” said McPheat as quoted by BBC Sport. (3 March)
“The winning manager in the opposing dugout on Sunday has shown what can be achieved even with a huge turnover of players, providing the money is spent wisely.
“That’s what Beale and the Ibrox board must ensure they do this summer. Celtic have spent big under Postecoglou, but their marquee signings, such as Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi, have proven to be difference-makers.”
Not wrong.
Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin were a good start to revamping this Rangers squad, however, much more must be spent in the summer months to compete at Celtic’s level.
Signing Malik Tillman on a permanent basis will also help matters massively but his signing simply isn’t enough for the Gers to win multiple pieces of silverware.
There are other areas on the pitch to address and it will take Douglas Park and co to dig deep into their pockets to make the right choices.
Beale can still instil some courage into the Rangers board by winning the Scottish Cup that is still on offer, the Premiership title now seems out of the Gers’ grasp.
There is no denying, however, that there is currently a gulf in class between the two Glasgow outfits and this solely comes down to recruitment and cash splashed.
It’s a clear blueprint for Rangers to follow and one the board must grasp with both hands when the summer transfer window opens.
In other Rangers news, the club are in line for a multi-million windfall from the Premier League after a £10m Auchenhowie milestone was reached.