With mass hysteria taking over the other side of the city yesterday it’s easy to get caught up in it. It’s easy to enjoy Celtic fans losing their minds. It’s easy to enjoy watching them panic over next season. In reality, that’s the last thing the club can afford to do. What’s happening there is irrelevant. What’s happening there shouldn’t impact Rangers at all right now. There is a clear plan in place and Rangers must remain focused in carrying it out as if nothing has happened.
Michael Beale’s Plan
The plan, as of now, has been to get the transfer business done as quickly as possible. A refreshing change of pace for Rangers fans. The manager knows the players he wants and how they’ll fit into the team. Players will be brought in to fit his style instead of him compromising with players he didn’t want.
Considering the up turn in performances since January it’s an exciting time. The Englishmen has brought in two players so far. Currently, his success rate is 100%.
Todd Cantwell has been an absolute revelation and Nicolas Raskin has sky high potential. Both players will be hugely important for Rangers next season and beyond. They are both excellent players but also fit into the player trading model the club is looking to establish.
Transfer Market Focus
Michael Beale has continually expressed his desire to get business done early. Every transfer update he gave the media spoke on how deals were in motion and just needed a few details ironed out. It’s currently June 5th and already two deals have been sealed.
Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling have been confirmed as free signings, joining on July 1st. Quick and smart signings from the Rangers manager, getting these deals over the line so quickly shows his intent. The reality is, Rangers needed to strengthen and both players add strength and depth to, what was, a tired and had ran it’s course. For the club to be able to challenge for the title again, this summer rebuild was hugely neccessary.
Two more deals look like they could potentially be sealed this week, Jack Butland and Jose Cifuentes are both reportedly close to being sealed.
You can find everything you need to know about both players here;
Both the above articles explain what each player can offer to the club and they are signings that should excite fans! The focus now seems to be on finding our new number nine. That said, Rangers look to have found their main target in Cyriel Dessers and seem determined to get their man. The report mentioned seems to suggest that Rangers have had a first bid rejected but will go back in for the Nigerian striker.
It remains clear that most of Rangers budget will be focused on improving the front line and the purchases made there can make or break Rangers season.
The Importance of Focus
Rangers and Michael knew exactly what they had to do as soon as the title race was over. It was clear to everyone that the squad needed a huge refresh and that has started positively. Some of the departing players had clearly downed tools and regressed at the club and all the new arrivals need to be hungry and raring to go from the start. It can be said, though, that there’s always an element of risk in rebuilds of this size, although there is confidence in Beale’s ability to deliver this after his work in the January window and on the pitch.
At this point in time, the managerial change at Celtic should change nothing, however, it seems to have given fans a slight boost in positivity. Evidently, there’s a chance that change disrupts their players and squad mentality going in the new season. At the same time, Rangers must remain focused on themselves and carrying out the plan in place by the likes of Beale and Bisgrove.
On the whole, Rangers are heading in the right direction and are also making the right moves. This must remain if the title challenge is to be back on in the upcoming season. Things are looking bright at Rangers so let’s push on and get back to winning trophies. I have faith in Michael Beale to help deliver that and put Rangers back on top.