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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Matthew Fulton

Michael Beale and the Rangers transfer 'change of menu' required to take serious fight to Celtic next season

Unsure Andy Walker reckons Michael Beale needs to 'change the menu' up at Rangers with his transfer strategy.

The pundit believes the signings of Nicolas Raskin from Standard Liege and Todd Cantwell from Norwich City in January, which were well received by the Ibrox support, are not enough to sustain his side for a battle with Celtic next season. Beale moved quickly this summer to recruit in key positions with Jack Butland taking over the reins from veteran Allan McGregor who bid farewell at the end of the season. Defender Dujon Sterling, midfielder Kieran Dowell and forward Sam Lammers have also been signed up as part of an overhaul.

The Light Blues are close to confirming winger Abdallah Sima from Brighton to level up the loss of Ryan Kent to Fenerbahce, while Beale also seems keen on bringing in more forward firepower with Cremonese attacker Cyriel Dessers and Feyenoord hitman Danilo linked after Alfredo Morelos left. But Walker insists it is regular, ready-made starters that the Londoner must find to engage in warfare with Brendan Rodgers.

The Sky Sports co-commentator, however, believes Beale's counterpart across the city will want to emulate the success of the Europa League final run his squad had just last year. He told Go Radio: "I've no idea what sort of money Rangers have to spend. It goes from 'we need two players' to 'we need five players' and 'we've got a lot of money to spend' to 'we've got very little to spend'. I don't know what the truth is.

"As far as Michael Beale is concerned, you need to change the menu. You need to get players in who are capable of delivering immediately. When Cantwell and Raskin arrived in January, I thought they would play immediately. Beale sees them everyday and when they didn't play against Celtic, I was a bit surprised.

"They showed their quality in the second half of the season but you absolutely need more than that. You need someone you can hang your hat on for a goal. Morelos is away, he was exceptional for Rangers over a good number of years. You also had someone like Ryan Kent who gave you some special moments, especially in Europe.

"If anything Celtic want to achieve that Rangers have over the past number of years, it's having a deep run in to Europe and getting victories. There's nothing like it for the supporters."

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