BBC Sport journalist slams ‘failed’ Rangers signings as ‘key question’ posed to new manager
Michael Beale’s summer signings have “failed” to live up to expectation at Rangers, according to BBC Sport journalist Alasdair Lamont.
A total of nine players were brought to Ibrox in the summer transfer window by Beale, who has since lost his job at the club.
As per the official Rangers website (1 October), the club have parted ways with the manager, with Steven Davis appointed on an interim basis.
“Beale spoke enthusiastically about his face-to-face meetings with players before signing them in the summer, wanting to look these potential signings in the eye and ensure that not only did they have the talent to play for Rangers but also the character required,” Lamont wrote for BBC Sport.
“Those sentiments were reciprocated by Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers and Jose Cifuentes among others, each of whom gushed about Beale’s philosophy, his tactical plans, his vision. Yet there have been only the briefest glimpses of any of that coming to fruition as the new signings have failed to live up to the billings afforded them by the man who brought them to Ibrox.
“The key question is – can Davis, and indeed the new permanent manager when appointed, coax a performance out of those players, or are they simply not as good as Beale thought?”
Frustrating displays
Beale didn’t get too many things right during his tenure at Ibrox, although the signings of Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell in January do look to be positive ones.
But the likes of Danilo, Lammers and Dessers have failed to hit the heights expected of them since joining in the summer, much to the frustration of Gers fans.
Given how much money was spent in the most recent window, the new faces needed to shine at Ibrox from day one, and unfortunately for Beale that hasn’t been the case.
Their failings, which have coincided with several disappointing results, led to the removal of Beale in the Rangers dugout.
The inexperienced Davis has now taken over, with the midfielder desperate to get the best out of his teammates in this new role. First up for the interim boss is a Europa League group stage clash with Aris Limassol on Thursday (5 October).
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit has reacted to the appointment of Davis as interim manager, with a “huge gamble” claim made.