Something we alluded to earlier on Ibrox Noise is that Michael Beale has been afforded an opportunity not given a Rangers manager since 1999. He has been give a chance, literally, to play Football Manager with Rangers, and a clean slate.
Not since Dick Advocaat (and we’re talking SPL Rangers here) and the Dutch Revolution at the turn of the millennium has a Rangers manager had a total clean slate to completely rebuild the team, pretty much root to tip.
The only players we are going into next season with as strong first-team fodder for sure are McCrorie, Tavernier, Souttar, Ridvan, Raskin and Cantwell.
Even Lundstram and Goldson are no longer absolutes, given the former has such strong competition for his position now and the latter is getting injured a lot more. Ryan Jack will be more squad depth and not a guaranteed starter.
Attack needs to be completely revamped, and defence as good as. Midfield is ok but will need work done. And goals too needs a lot of TLC.
As such, Beale has a practically blank canvas in front of him, as good as, and has already started adding to it in the form of Norwich’s Kieran Dowell, which will be reportedly announced v Hearts.
It’s a rare chance he has – the chance to play a video game management sim with Rangers and rebuild the team, the squad.
Is he the right man to be afforded such a colossal chance?
Sure, we’ve seen the likes of Ped the Ted come in and sign half of Portugal and Mexico, but that was just his window, his choice of players to add. It wasn’t a complete rebuild. And he certainly wasn’t the right man for either scenario.
Beale? He gets the chance to prove he is the right man. Most signs point to him not being, but the Old Firm win did earn the man a bit of slack, and his January additions have been great, no question.
So we now give Michael Beale the keys to Ibrox, the budget for the summer rebuild, and our faith in the man to reconstruct our squad and make it battle ready to do something to push Celtic next season.
A half-decent showing in the Champions League, should we get there, would be pleasant too.