Rangers boss Michael Beale admits he wants to see how his returning stars shape up before deciding if he needs to hit the January sales.
The Ibrox boss has inherited a lengthy list of casualties from predecessor Gio van Bronckhorst and admits he may have to make a couple of additions to see his squad through the second half of the campaign. However, that injury picture has brightened this week after centre-backs Connor Goldson and Ben Davies were welcomed back for Tuesday’s dramatic win at Pittodrie.
There will be another boost on Boxing Day when World Cup ace Borna Barisic reports back to Glasgow after spending the last few days partying with Croatia’s bronze-medal winning heroes. Barisic could be rejoined in the team to face Motherwell next week by fellow countryman Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe while Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence are eyeing up returns within the next month.
With those big names on the way back, Beale is tempted to wait until next summer before carrying out the major refurbishment work on his squad. The Rangers gaffer said: “Some players coming back will be like new signings.
“I’m not saying there won’t be anything in January, I’m just not going to commit to it because I don’t know what’s available in the market. I have got one or two players in my mind that we wouldn’t be able to get in January that I think would make us stronger in the future.
“We have to get to the end of the season first and I realise that nothing is guaranteed in the game. "I think we will look at one or two and the next ten days or two weeks might make our mind up one way or the other.”
Beale’s not rushing his recruitment work and he won’t be hurried into deciding whether or not to issue new deals to the nine players entering the final six months on their Ibrox contracts. Chairman Douglas Park has already suggested Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos’ deal demands are “unobtainable” but Beale has challenged the likes of Ryan Jack and Pittodrie hero Scott Arfield to justify the offer of an extension.
“I just want everybody to be fit,” said the manager before tonight’s trip to Ross County. “If that’s not going to be until the start of February, that will be the moment I can assess the squad, whose contract shall be renewed, who should stay and look at areas we need to improve in.
“Health and form will play a big part in the decisions that are made between now and the end of the season. And also in what we can do in the market and who is available.
“Money is one thing, players’ availability is another. And also, I want to see when Tom Lawrence, Hagi and Roofe are fit. Can they stay consistently fit? What difference does that make to our squad in the attacking and midfield positions.
“Then I’ll see what’s out there. At the moment, the games are coming thick and fast but that’s challenging for me. Let’s get through Friday night then we can enjoy our turkey on Christmas Day.”
But Beale revealed a goalkeeper is not on his wish-list despite No.1 Allan McGregor receiving fresh criticism after allowing Duk Lopes’ free-kick to fly past him as Aberdeen equalised in midweek, “I won’t be strengthening the goalkeeper’s position next month,” said Beale. “When the ball goes in the goal, everyone looks at the goalkeeper.
“But Allan McGregor has saved this club time and time again. He made a big save last week against Hibs that kept the score where we needed it. The second strike from Leighton Clarkson was an excellent goal but the first one (Duk) has gone goalie’s side but the goalie has obviously moved.
“But no, I’ve got no issue with Allan. Jon McLaughlin at the start of the season did very well. He made a mistake in a high profile game but I trust him.
“And Robbie McCrorie knows moving forward I’ve got a lot of faith in him. So I think we’re in a healthy place but I do get it, the ball goes in the goal and everybody looks at the goalkeeper.”
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