Callum O'Connell

Mon 24 July 2023 8:10, UK

Rangers may look to sign a different striker, despite a fee for Feyenoord’s Danilo getting closer, as Michael Beale continues to experiment with his forward line, according to Keith Jackson in the Daily Record [page 43].

In the print edition of the Daily Record [24 July], Jackson shared his view that Beale’s continuous changing of his front line in the friendly against Hamburg may be a sign that his radical overhaul of the squad may not be as strong as it seems.

It is stated that a deal is still said to be hanging in the balance despite the fee getting closer, with suggestions that Feyenoord are even running out of patience.

Concerns beginning to show?

Jackson’s view that perhaps this rebuild isn’t as strong as it seems on paper might be a fair one, while seemingly pessimistic. Beale will have a good idea of what he wants his squad to look like come the start of the season, but there is still more to do.

Players linked with moves away may now be making life difficult after strong pre-season performances, with the likes of Sakala, Matondo, Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence all impressing despite transfer rumours.

This could, however, be a good thing for Rangers. If players you want to move on are still turning in good performances, it will either attract the attention of buying clubs or set the players up well to be involved in next season’s first-team squad.

The suggestion that having a squad packed with forwards will be a bad thing, is not necessarily going to turn out to be correct. Having options in forward areas allows room for error and change.

A player isn’t performing to standard? Replace him with one of the other options. Need a change of approach? There will be a different profile on the bench. Beale is building his squad, moulding it into one that fits his style, so who are we to question him?

In other Rangers news, negotiations are ongoing for a new player with a deal now close.