Michael Beale has admitted his Rangers squad needed strengthening – and he says those who come in won't be making up the numbers.
The Light Blues boss has won his four opening Premiership games in charge since succeeding Giovanni van Bronckhorst but faces his toughest challenge yet on Monday when Celtic come to Ibrox. Beale knows there's much work to be done on a squad that trails their rivals by nine points, and January's window provides an ideal time to do that.
Squad fillers won't be accepted by the Londoner, insisting starting XI improvements have to be made: "They have to come in to start. That’s my big thing now. It would be nice if Roofe, Hagi, Colak and Lawrence had been available because those four players could’ve played as our front four. I think there are starters who have been unavailable. If someone is coming into the building you should view it that they’re coming into start.
"If they’re not and they are for later on you’ll hear that in my voice because I will be honest about it. We don’t need more squad players, we need players to improve the starting XI, I think that’s clear for people to see."
Excitement is building in the Rangers camp ahead of hosting the derby for the first time this season. With it being his first as boss, Beale can't wait.
He added: "It’s a lovely one. I’m extremely excited about the game and very optimistic about what my team can produce. We will get feedback, at the end of it I will still have a real big job to do.
"The window opens before the game but our focus is on the game. We will look to strengthen in different areas and look to move forward. What’s clear is there is a big job on here. We’re about to play a derby at home, what is there not to look forward to?"
