Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson has predicted that new gaffer Michael Beale will have to 'wheel and deal' in the January transfer market if he is to stamp his authority on the club and kickstart a title charge.
Joining over the Christmas break with a nine-point gap to make up on leaders and bitter rivals Celtic, Beale had the odds stacked against him whilst he was 2-1 down at half-time to Hibs on Thursday evening. Fortunately for him, goals from Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos turned the tie on its head and the Light Blues closed the gap to six, putting pressure on Celtic ahead of their trip to Aberdeen on Saturday.
But regardless of Saturday's outcome, forward planning is needed across the board in terms of the rest of the season. Ryan Kent and Morelos both have their contracts expiring at the end of the season and they may need cashing in on, while centre-back depth still remains low due to injuries and bedding in new talent. And whilst Thomson believes that Beale will want games to come thick and fast, he must also balance out his squad needs and predicts the Gers boss to be busy over the coming months.
