Anthony Onifade

Sat 25 March 2023 19:10, UK

Rangers boss Michael Beale has overseen a tremendous upward curve since he took over at Ibrox in November.

The Gers have won 17 of their league games since he took over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst before the World Cup break, signalling that the club are ready to fully challenge Old Firm rivals next season.

The Light Blues remain nine points from Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table and this summer provides the club with the opportunity to close that gap, both psychologically and in their recruitment.

Former QPR boss Beale only managed to sign two players in the January transfer window and it is believed he will sign around 10 players this summer, with plenty of players departing too.

However, what’s impressive about Beale’s tenure is the work he’s done with the players he inherited, but many of the club’s summer signings have failed to impress him. Here at Ibrox News, we rate each of the Light Blues’ business this summer and who will have a Rangers future next season.

Antonio Colak – 7/10

Colak has enjoyed a superb goalscoring campaign, despite suffering injuries and fitness issues for much of it registering 13 goals from 21 Scottish top-flight games, that’s four more than Morelos’ tally from his 26 outings.

With the Gers set to undergo a stark summer rebuild and Morelos looking like he’s on his way out at Ibrox, Colak certainly deserves the chance to stake his claim in the coming weeks to be Beale’s favoured number nine for the long term.

Ben Davies – 6/10

A firm and sound presence in Beale’s back-line, Davies has massively impressed since his long injury-lay off before the turn of the year. He’s featured in every Gers game since then forming a solid defensive partnership with Conor Goldson at the heart of the Gers back line.

However, with Beale set to undergo a stark rebuild, is Davies’ position as a guaranteed starter under threat beyond this season?

John Souttar – 1/10

Only made one league start since his free transfer from Hearts last summer, and seriously doesn’t seem to be a part of Beale’s plans at Ibrox due to his serious injury worries. His short time at the Scottish giants may be coming to an abrupt end.

Malik Tillman – 9/10

The “outstanding” fan favourite has been a standout performer for the Light Blues in the 2022/23 campaign and Beale has made his desire to keep the 20-year-old permanently very clear.

The 20-year-old playmaker has undergone a stark and rapid development under Beale’s management with the former Queens Park Rangers coach providing him with more of a refined and dynamic advanced role in the Rangers midfield.

Tillman has unquestionably repaid that faith and tactical decision with some superb returns in the final third, so far registering 8 goals and 4 assists from 24 Scottish Premiership outings this season.

He’s a superb talent, one with the potential to become a Rangers icon. Sign him permanently.

Rabbi Matondo – 3/10

When Rangers agreed on a fee of around £2m [Sky Sports, 12 July] with Schalke for Wales international winger Rabbi Matondo, there were more fans against it than excited about it.

His level wasn’t clearly good enough for Rangers, and the fee was a relatively big one for Rangers who don’t tend to spend big on signings when they’re not guaranteed starters. And having called way down the pecking order under Beale’s tenure, it seems as if his four-year deal at Ibrox will be cut instantly short this summer. A waste and a stinker.

Ridvan Yilmaz – 4/10

The Turkish left-back joined the club last summer but has barely featured for the first team this season, making just seven appearances in all competitions amid injury problems and falling behind Borna Barisic in the pecking order.

When given the opportunity in Barisic’s absence against Motherwell on 18 March, Yilmaz failed to impress with a first-half shocker, and with rumours circulating of a return to his native Turkey this summer, this is yet another Ross Wilson transfer failure at Ibrox.

Tom Lawrence – 5/10

The Wales international signed for the club on a free transfer in the summer and started well before going down with a knee injury at the back end of August.

Gers boss Michael Beale confirmed Lawrence underwent another operation and will be out of action for the rest of the campaign [The Herald, 2 March].

Given a five because he certainly lit up the Ibrox before his injury. Many will argue he still deserves a shot at the club with Beale set to significantly change things around this summer.

In other Rangers news, this Ibrox coach is being tipped to leave Govan for a “big club in England” as managerial speculation emerges south of the border.