Michael Beale can never be accused of not knowing what he wants.
Whether he’ll get it this summer? That remains to be seen. But the Rangers boss has a vision of how he sees his new team at the start of August. And at the top end of the pitch he wants to secure HIS version of what an Ibrox centre-forward should look like. So far in his tenure as boss, he has been restricted in that sense. Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe have both been injured for long spells.
And Alfredo Morelos – for all his quality when he’s at his best – isn’t the energetic, mobile, relentless striker that Beale has set his heart on. That’s why the Colombian will be allowed to leave Rangers this summer. A few weeks ago, the manager claimed that frontman Kyogo Furuhashi is the reason why Celtic are the Premiership champions. That’s how much emphasis he puts on a No.9 and their role within a side.
So is Beale on the look-out for a new centre-forward? “No, we’re looking for centre-forwards,” he replied. Even if Colak and Roofe are still at Ibrox next season, the Gers gaffer knows exactly what the new boys must bring. Beale said: “So far I’ve had to play the striker who is fit rather than picking one for the team.
“When we play in Europe or big games here, EVERY player must take part in every minute of the game. I like forwards who aren’t just in one position. They interchange, move around and have freedom on the pitch.
“Whenever we have done well in Europe, every player took part in all aspects of the game. That is a big thing for me. I want energy, I want speed, I want to see personality in a centre-forward.
“If you want to be a No.9 for Rangers you need to have that. In the last few weeks I have been busy, travelling extensively to have meetings with players in person.
“It gives me a feel for the relationship we will have. I enjoy that part of it. And I’m aware that if I don’t get them right, fingers will point at me this time and not someone else.
“At both ends of the pitch we need a bit of experience at this moment. This isn’t the time to go with rookies in these positions. In between that, we can get a lovely mix. But at either end we need experience.”
That might be a hint towards the potential signing of Jack Butland in goal. With Allan McGregor going, Rangers will need a new No.1 Robby McCrorie has put himself in the frame with some excellent performances, including in last weekend’s Old Firm victory.
But you get the impression Beale wants players whom he KNOWS can deliver. That’s why even someone like Roofe, who has been written off by some supporters after his injury nightmare, could still be part of Beale’s plans.
He’s a fan of the Jamaican striker and said: “Wouldn’t it be fantastic if Kemar can get over the issues he has and be a big player for us next season?
“If he can find consistency with his fitness then we’ve a good player on our hands.”
With just three Premiership games of the campaign left, Beale still has some big decisions to make. Ridvan Yilmaz has shone in recent weeks so is he now first-choice left-back ahead of Borna Barisic for next term?
The Croat, along with John Lundstram, only has a year left of his current Ibrox deal. Beale’s planning started a long time ago and, for some players, his mind was made up pretty quickly.
Certainly, he won’t be gullible enough to make snap judgments after one win over Celtic. By the same token, Turkish star Yilmaz has clearly made an impact. Beale said: “My mind isn’t made up completely.
“But we’ve had some bad days this season – and they live longer in your mind than the nice ones. We’ve had three or four performances since I came back that have excited me.
“But I’m not someone who wants us to rely on our football alone. I like it when we keep clean sheets and are hard to beat. That is what I want to add this summer, energy, personality and athleticism. We have lost a lot of that in the team.
“With Ridvan, sometimes it can take time to settle. He was living close to his family before in Istanbul and didn’t speak great English. Then he got injured. He played against Celtic and everyone says it was a bit of a surprise. But I’ve watched him play for Turkey against Italy – so I wasn’t surprised. You have to acclimatise to the pressure of playing for this club and trying to win this league.”
There will be a glut of new signings arriving at Ibrox over the summer. But one guy who is already there has the potential to give Beale and his new-look squad the biggest boost of all.
So far, he has been unable to work with Tom Lawrence as the former Derby midfielder has been missing through injury. Ahead of today’s clash with Hibs at Easter Road – where Lawrence scored earlier this season – Beale said: “Tom will be like a plus-one for us when he comes back.
“I knew Tom when he was coming through at Manchester United as a kid but I’ve never worked with him. We need to be patient as he has been out for a long time. But if we can get him back to what he was before then Tom will add to what we are bringing in.”
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