Barry Ferguson says Rangers' summer recruitment has to be virtually perfect if they are to challenge Celtic 'big time' next season.
Michael Beale arrived late last year to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst and has started to put his own stamp on the Ibrox squad with his two January arrivals. Todd Cantwell came in the door from Norwich City and Nicolas Raskin from Standard Liege with both players already making an impact. Both have impressed Ibrox hero Ferguson while he admits he would be SHOCKED if his former side are not in talks with a number of players south of the border or abroad.
Question marks also remain over the futures of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent. They are two of a number of players that are out of contract. Ferguson believe it looks like it is curtains for the Colombian in Govan while with Kent he is unsure but would be more than happy to see him commit his future.
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Rangers currently trail Celtic by nine points in the race for the Premiership title while the Hoops have also already bagged the League Cup. They are in the hunt for a domestic Treble and can take a major step in in the Scottish Cup with both sides now drawn to face each other at the end of April in the semi-final. The winner would be the heavy favourite to lift the trophy with Falkirk facing Inverness in the other last four tie.
Ange Postecoglou has had huge success in the transfer market to date and has been one to get his deals done early at Celtic. For Rangers to get near their rival, he believes business needs to be done nice and sharp ahead of the first day of pre-season. He told Go Radio: "Recruitment has got to be virtually spot on this summer.
"I think the two that he brought in January have definitely strengthened the Rangers squad, Raskin and Cantwell. I have been impressed with them over the last couple of weeks, that's three games they have played in the space of a week so their fitness levels will be climbing because they hadn't played a lot of football.
"I would be shocked if they are not in conversation with a number of players down south or abroad wherever it may be. They know how important it is to make sure a strong team to make sure they challenge Celtic big time next season. I would like to hope that Rangers' recruitment they are in early doors, in the first day of pre-season."
On Morelos, Ferguson said: "I think Morelos 100%, I watched Michael Beale's interview after the game, it looks as if it is curtains. Ryan Kent, I'm still unsure. I'm swaying towards he will leave but if they agree a new contract with Ryan Kent I will be more than happy."
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