THE clock continues to tick down. Soon, the deadline will have come and gone and Michael Beale's business will be done.
The Englishman has had his own unique approach to the transfer window over the last 31 days and his style in front of the cameras and tape recorders has been a welcome one.
Beale's press conferences are must-watch events for supporters. From tactical snippets to injury updates, he has provided a level of detail that is rarely seen in the game these days and the transcripts regularly run into the thousands of words as several bases are covered.
There may well be a sigh of relief when Beale next sits down with the media on Thursday. For the first time in a month, he will not need to answer questions about players who could be coming or going at Ibrox and he can focus on those who he will guide through the coming months of the campaign.
Speaking on Monday ahead of the Premiership fixture with Hearts tomorrow evening, Beale stressed that the move for Nicolas Raskin, the Standard Liege midfielder, was not signed, sealed and delivered. It was clear, though, that Raskin would be a Ranger.
Personal terms had been agreed and penned days previously. After two approaches to Standard were rebuffed, it was a case of third time lucky as further discussions over the weekend saw an agreement reached and Raskin flew into Edinburgh airport on Monday afternoon.
The 21-year-old spoke with Beale later in the day and Rangers, with time on their side, didn't need to rush through an official confirmation. The schedule for Tuesday was set as Raskin was pencilled in for a RangersTV interview, the obligatory picture with the scarf and a suit measurement to ensure he looks the part now that he has joined the Ibrox squad.
It was noted online that Raskin had followed a private Instragram page for Rangers players and staff. At a time when any bit of information is latched on to, it was another reason for supporters to breathe a sigh of relief.
The announcement of Raskin's move on a four-and-a-half year deal will follow in the coming hours as he becomes the second arrival of the window for Beale. The first, of course, was Todd Cantwell and a debut in the win over St Johnstone offered a glimpse of what is to come from the former Norwich City midfielder.
That area of the pitch was one that Beale identified as needing upgraded on his return to Ibrox. The deals for Cantwell and Raskin have done that and the coming months will now determine the fates of the likes of Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield, both out of contract in the summer, and Glen Kamara, one of the sellable assets in the squad.
Malik Tillman is a player Beale is eager to retain beyond the end of the campaign and the agreement in place with Bayern Munich looks like being activated. The one for James Sands is a different matter, however, and the American now looks like he is surplus to requirements.
"Maybe one or two of the young ones that’s a possibility," Beale said on Monday when asked about midfielders leaving before the deadline. "We have a couple of loan players in and have to decide whether we want to retain them long term.
"If we didn’t, maybe there will be an opportunity for them to go back as well. I want players who are going to be here for the long term who can compete right now to make us stronger but also in the long term."
Beale compared his office at Auchenhowie to that of a 'doctor's office' on Monday as players sought assurances over their places in his plans.
Alex Lowry had a conversation with his manager and the option of a loan was put to him as he continues to find first team opportunities limited. Beale floated the idea of a switch abroad and confirmed it would need to be a Premiership side if Lowry was to move in Scotland. Ensuring he works under the right manager is key to the decision and Lowry could well find himself on the move before the close of play.
Fellow Auchenhowie graduates Josh McPake, a target for Colchester, and Kai Kennedy are also free to leave.
Reports have suggested that Leon King, subject to interest on both sides of the border, has attracted loan offers. He will remain part of Beale's squad but the boss hinted at another defensive recruit and admitted Rangers could 'force something through'.
Speaking last week, Beale stated that Jake Cooper of Millwall was 'not on his radar' right now. Morgan Whittaker was at one stage of the window but that interest was ended over the weekend after Rangers were unable to agree a fee with Swansea City.
"There was just one bid that went in that got rejected," Beale said as he admitted he would have a 'clearer picture' of the attacking areas of the team come the summer. "There’s been a lot of hot air around the situation. I think he’s a boy they like, that’s why they brought him back from Plymouth.
"They’ve obviously got their plans with him. I thought he was the most eye-catching player in League One this season and he’s gone back to Swansea, they’re probably looking at the league table and thinking he’s a valuable asset. There’s no problem with it, he’s a good player and I wish him and Swansea well."
As ever, you can never say never in football, and especially at a club like Rangers. While there is still time on the clock, there are still deals to be done but there doesn't appear, from the outside looking in, to be any gaping holes that need filled in Beale's squad right now.
That is a different matter come the summer. A striker, a No.9 in style and substance, will be amongst the priorities as a goalkeeper is also sought as a matter of urgency.
Beale revealed on Monday that he has his target in his sights to come in up front. No names were given but it is not a player that currently operates in Scotland.
"Morelos is out of contract, Kemar has had a disrupted year," Beale said. "But I’m not certain that Kemar is an out-and-out No 9. The year we won the league, he played just to the side or just how Sakala is playing with Morelos now. So I see Kemar as a bit of a hybrid.
"So if Alfredo moves on, that would only leave Antonio so there is room in the squad for another No 9. If Alfredo was to stay, I still want another No 9. I’m going to be greedy in that area.
"I’ve got my eyes on someone that I think can take the team to the next level. I want to go and recruit him."
Beale presented his January wish list to Ross Wilson, the sporting director, and the Ibrox board at the start of the month. The next few hours will determine how many deals Rangers were able to get done ahead of the bigger rebuild to come in the summer.
