Former Rangers assistant Michael Beale has presented a great perspective as well as insight on the detail involved in signing new players, amid a clamour for new arrivals at Ibrox.
With pre-season now underway, the fans are eagerly awaiting new arrivals for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad with patience in short supply as is standard across social media. Whilst real life is much different, there is a reasonable expectation of movement to follow over the next week ahead of the trip to Portugal.
In recent days, several names have been mentioned. Some have come with a considerable reputation on the pitch whilst others have been relative unknowns, yet the traction grows online. All of a sudden, the expectation is real yet is only likely to be followed by disappointment.
With the passion and enthusiasm for all things Rangers, the need for content often means things aren’t kept in perspective. With Rangers also generally keeping a lid on player targets in recent times, it’s easy to see where the ‘clash’ comes from.
Michael Beale has provided some excellent insight on what is involved with targeting a player, how the process works with the example provided by the Connor Goldson signing. Similarly with Ryan Kent, these were’t established first team players secured by the club, instead they were identified as compatible parts for the system they would be joining, as new QPR boss Beale alluded to:
“Connor has been fantastic. You’ve got to remember we recruited a player who wasn’t playing, who’d had a heart problem the year before and who has gone on to play literally 98 per cent of the games for Rangers afterwards.”
“So when you’re going through that medical and the recruitment process, there will always be questions from the outside – from media and fans about why this guy hasn’t been playing football.”
“But you have to trust your instincts and more often than not we got it right for the outlays we made.”
Balance
This Summer, Rangers need the addition of quality to raise the levels in the first team. That will only come with smart recruitment and those who come to Ibrox have to be the right combination of potential and proven ability. Too much risk won’t work, there is a need to hit the ground running and contribute right away, given the demands.
Signings will follow, as will some exits, but those joining the club will almost certainly come from pre-determined targets regardless of the noise generated on the outside by supporters, media and the internet, of which we all contribute to.
The wait is almost over…surely.