Michael Beale has told Rangers fans they could expect a new signing at Ibrox when they face Hearts on Wednesday.
The Ibrox boss admitted the old guard will be given a chance to say a farewell to the fans but as it’s out with the old it could be in with one new face at least. The Light Blues are closing in on Jose Cifuentes but Beale didn’t name who the new boy could be with Kieran Dowell and Jack Butland also poised to be announced.
Beale was delighted with his side’s display as he watched them sweep Hibs aside with a 3-1 victory at Easter Road despite preparations being hampered by injuries. James Tavernier, on his 400th appearance, netted while Ianis Hagi bagged his first goal for 16 months and Todd Cantwell also scored. Now they face the other half of the Edinburgh divide in Glasgow in midweek and it could be a big night.
The Englishman told BBC radio Scotland: “The window doesn’t open just yet so we can’t announce anything but when it opens we’ll be ready to announce one or two. One might be announced on Wednesday at Ibrox so there’s another reason for people to maybe come along and see us in midweek. My transfer window probably starts the first week in July and maybe there will be a couple of bits after that. I’m happy with where things are it.
“There will be one or two players, whether they start or come on in the game, will be around it (on Wednesday). It’s right they get the chance to say farewell to the fans. We’ll make a statement on Tuesday on that just so the fans are aware and there’s real clarity. Some people in our squad have been unbelievable for Rangers between 2018 and now 2023 and everything that’s gone in-between and it’s right they get the send off they deserve.
“We need to win the next two games. Our form has been strong and if you look at our points per game and the table since I came in then we’re everywhere we’d want to be moving forward into next season. I don’t want to end this season slowly, I want to end it strongly and if we show the same mentality then we’ll be fine on Wednesday and next weekend.”
On the Hibs win, he added: “The preparation was horrific. We lost Morelos and Kamara in training on Saturday, Scott Wright overnight and Rabbi Matondo in the warm up. We had to put two goalkeepers on the bench and a lot of the B team but the mentality of the starting team was fantastic.
“That was a really important game for Hibs and we looked comfortable throughout. We were the dominant team and might have scored a couple more. I was pleased for Tav scoring on his 400th game, Ianis Hagi scoring his first in 16 months and Todd’s keeping his run going. But I’d say the game was about John Souttar. He led a young back four with Ridvan, Robby behind him and young Leon King. John Souttar was outstanding.
“It’s not an easy place to come but we’ve scored seven goals in the two games here and our form in the league away from home since I came back to the club I’ve been delighted with. We set up the way we do as a team because Tav has unique qualities and you make allowances for your better players. A normal full back will have someone covering that zone or we slide around as a three at the back to allow Tav to get forward. He scores from deadfalls and set plays but also from range and you have to make allowances. His numbers are unique.”
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