Alex McLeish admits Michael Beale recruitment ‘massively important’ for Rangers title hopes
Michael Beale faces the “massively important” task of recruiting players with speed and athleticism in order to boost the title hopes of Rangers, according to Alex McLeish.
The Gers have already brought three players through the Ibrox gates, with Kieran Dowell and Jack Butland signing on free transfers and Dujon Sterling joining from Chelsea.
This follows the so far successful additions of midfield duo Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell in the January window.
As reported by Herald journalist Chris Jack, McLeish said: “When we won the Treble, there was then a mass exodus.
“We brought in a lot of players. On names, they were tremendous, but maybe they just didn’t have the legs any more. That was kind of what thwarted us that season.
“Recruitment is massively important. That’s Michael’s next biggest task. Bringing in athletic guys – guys with speed.
“Because, let’s be honest, at the top level – and you see it with the national team now and in the Premier League – everybody is very quick.
“Rangers need quick players but they also need quality. That’s where you have to show how good you are in recruitment.”
Summer transfers key
Although Rangers have started the summer off at 100 miles an hour – snapping three players up within a fortnight of the end of the season – they must continue in a similar vein if they wish to be competing with Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title next season.
Options in attack look like the one glaring weakness in Beale’s first-team squad, especially after the departures of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos following the expiration of their contracts.
The lack of a proven goalscorer thwarted the Gers last season, with right-back James Tavernier the club’s top goalscorer with 17 strikes. This has to change if Rangers are to bridge the seven-point gap to their Old Firm rivals.
McLeish makes a good point about the need for fresh legs. Last season the Gers squad had an ageing look to it, but the departures of Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield and Filip Helander have now allowed room for some youth to be signed.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has claimed that the Ibrox faithful will love this attacker at the club as Rangers are closing in on another signing.