Michael Beale insists Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent don't "hold all the cards" as far as their contracts are concerned - and warned them they'll need to buck up their ideas if they want to stay.
The new Rangers boss is running the rule over his squad having joined from QPR on Monday and decisions will need to be made on the out-of-contract duo soon to avoid losing them for free. But while he'd like to keep the pair who starred during his previous spell at the club as assistant manager, he insists the situation goes "both ways" – hinting the club won't push the boat out to keep them if they don't up their game. Beale told Sky Sports : "They are two players that I've worked well with previously. When I was here previously they were both excellent in different ways.
"In Alfredo, in terms of the goals he scored, and Ryan in terms of the way he entertained people and got on the ball and took the game to the opponent. I think they're capable of more than they're showing right now, that's fair to say, but they'll have their own reasons for that and they'll be working away at that.
"I trust both players and we've played this out as a club before with Connor Goldson and his contract situation. Sometimes a player wants to see and take their time, there's no problem, it's fine.
"I think the option is both ways with the players, the cards aren't in Ryan and Alfredo's hands. We also want to create a stronger Rangers going forward, with or without those players. Ideally with them."
The boss also revealed he's had talks with the board over January transfers but first wants to take a look at the players he's got before making any decisions. He went on: "The guarantees that I have are the same as the last two managers, if players are identified within the budget then the board has always supported that. I lived in that for three-and-a-half years where I felt that at times we tried to push that a little bit to get more than what the club could do, but the club is definitely in a stronger position now.
"What I've asked is let me look at the squad first, let me see who is here, let me see who is present. I've been made aware that there's definitely an opportunity for the right players, in the right positions.
"Let me not assume anything, let me get in and work with the group. We have players like Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi that are going to have a huge impact on our team when they're fit and well.
"Kemar Roofe was the top scorer in the league-winning season and he's not been available. Ben Davies has come into the club and has not really been available yet. I think it's a really strong squad on paper, at the moment we need to get one or two back fit then if we need to strengthen we'll certainly do that."
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