MICHAEL BEALE insists he can return Rangers to the top of the Scottish game in one more transfer window as he gears up for a summer of change at Ibrox.
Supporters questioned the direction of the club on and off the park during the win over Kilmarnock on Saturday as a banner from the Union Bears claimed it was 'time for change' following the failure to win the last two Premiership titles.
Beale made his first signings as boss with the acquisitions of Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin during the January window but was left empty-handed at Hampden as Celtic took a step towards another Treble with victory in the Viaplay Cup final.
Beale issued a defiant answer of '100 per cent' when asked if he could get Rangers back to where it needs to be after the summer and is confident he is on track to deliver silverware sooner rather than later.
Beale said: “I back the people I work with and I believe in this club and the work we’re going to go on. There’s work to be done but I 100 percent believe in it.
"When I came back in did I feel everything was going to be perfect between the back end of November and May? No.
"But in my first year as a manager what was I investing in? The future. I believe in it and where I’m taking it and the people I’m going to go on that journey with.
"I don’t see it as anything other than me being confident going forward. Am I slightly more aware now? Yes. Just because I’m sat in the seat. But has it made me any less confident? No.
“You can only live every day. I can’t fast forward three months. I’m excited by this challenge as you can tell from my body language.”
Beale will have to make decisions on the futures of a handful of out of contract players in the coming weeks as he counts down to the chance to make more significant changes at Ibrox.
Rangers remain nine points adrift of their Old Firm rivals ahead of the clash with Hibernian on Wednesday night and have a Scottish Cup quarter-final against Raith Rovers on the horizon.
Beale dismissed suggestions that Rangers took their eye off the ball after winning a 55th title two years ago and, when asked if fans should be excited for the future, the Englishman said: “No, what they should do is…I know at this moment in time there’s a little bit of a lack of faith.
"But if I could say one thing to them it’s: stick with us. We’re doing everything we can and believe in where we’re going. I’m strong in my conviction that we’ll go there and history will determine whether I’m right or not.”
