RANGERS manager Michael Beale has spoken in glowing terms about his new working relationship with Ibrox senior scout John Park as he continued attempts to strengthen his squad.
Park, who helped bring Moussa Dembele, Fraser Forster, Virgil van Dijk and Victor Wanyama to Scottish football during the nine years that he worked at Celtic, joined the Govan outfit in the summer.
Beale, who is hopeful of bringing in several new signings during the January transfer window, admitted he has been impressed with the 64-year-old talent spotter’s knowledge and enthusiasm since returning to Scotland in November.
However, the Englishman stressed that Rangers, who take on Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden this afternoon, have a limited budget and need to spend what money they do have wisely.
“John Park is new relationship for me, which is a lovely one,” he said. “John smells of football. When you’re inside it, we’re no different to people who watch and write about football—it’s your passion.
“John’s passion is unearthing talent and seeing something in someone. That’s the same passion I have. But he does it by watching from the stands and I do it by working with players.
“I’m always curious why one player in one club doesn’t do as well as everyone thinks he can and how you can get him going by creating an environment that allows him to fly. They are the conversations we have.
“John has been away the last six or seven days in different countries watching games. Me and him grabbed breakfast the other morning and he was telling me about all these exotic names and players.
“You can imagine if we had an open cheque book where we could just go out and sign everyone. Me and John would love that and Ross (sporting director Wilson) as well. I think Ross is very much the same. We talk about football non-stop.”
Beale added: “The transfer window is an interesting thing when it opens. You have all these possibilities and players available. Sometimes things come to you, sometimes you’re chasing things.
“I think it’s important to know exactly who you are a football club and what type of people you need. If we spend money here and get it wrong, it’s really costly.”
