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.
READ MORE:
"I think he'll want games thick and fast, he'll want the next challenge, he'll want more time, spent on the training pitch with the players," Thomson told Sky Sports.
"I'm sure he's openly analysing the squad day to day, and as soon as it gets to January he will wheel and deal. How that will look will be anyone's guess, but he'll want to see the changes and see the players implement a calmness and backing themselves.
"I'm sure he knows it's a work in progress but he'll back himself to get this Rangers team firing."
Rangers currently sit 11 points clear of third-placed Aberdeen, though that will be reduced to eight if they beat Celtic at Pittodrie over the weekend. The next game for Beale will be a trip to Pittodrie himself on Tuesday evening.
READ NEXT:
