Michael Beale hits back at Rangers transfer claim after Celtic defeat
Rangers manager Michael Beale has claimed that the reported valuation of his new players “are miles out” as he defended the summer transfer business at Ibrox.
The Gers brought in nine new players during the summer window as part of a big overhaul on the back of last season, with plenty moving out too.
But the Light Blues have made a slow start to the new campaign, having dropped six points from their opening four Scottish Premiership matches and exited the Champions League at the play-off stage.
Beale is under intense pressure following a 1-0 home loss to Celtic on Sunday [3 September], but he was eager to set the record straight with regards to the new players brought in.
“When you lose six players that play in the front positions, you have to sign some,” Beale said [PLZ Soccer, 3 September].
“They can’t all play at the same time. The players can’t all play if they play in the same position, that’s obvious. We had to sign these players. There has been a lot said about the fees.
“I will tell you that you’re miles out on who cost what, who cost this. You are miles out. We had to replace the players that went out.
“They have all contributed so far. They could all show a little bit more. But I don’t think it is a slight on anyone that we picked Kemar Roofe today or the form that Rabbi Matondo has been in.”
Slow start
Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Cyriel Dessers were the only three new signings to start against Celtic, while Sam Lammers, Abdallah Sima and Danilo were introduced from the bench.
Beale had a point with regards to not being able to select any more than three attackers to fit the formation, but many will question the starting line-up and how long it took to make changes.
A number of the new recruits have simply not had the desired impact, either, regardless of what Beale says.
Danilo is reported to have cost £6m [Sky Sports] – though that has now been disputed by Beale – and has played just 161 minutes of action across Rangers’ four league games, scoring once.
It may well be that the newbies slowly click, but the time it is taking to do so has already come at a cost as Rangers have missed out on the Champions League and are already playing catch-up on Celtic domestically.
It is now over to Beale to get the most out of those available to him, regardless of how much they cost.
In other Rangers news, Robbie Savage hit back at a Celtic fan in a debate over Roofe’s disallowed goal.