Kenny Dalglish insists Michael Beale will know he has to bring in talent to Rangers as quickly as possible but believes they might have to sell before they can buy. And he warned the creditable draw he achieved against Celtic last week is “unlikely to be deemed acceptable” in 12 months’ time.
The Scotland, Liverpool and Hoops legend insists the new Ibrox boss must keep pace with their rivals in the transfer market after the champions recruited three players in this transfer window having been quick off the mark this time last year with key signings who helped drive them to Scottish Premiership title glory.
In a frank interview, Beale admitted the Light Blues can’t match Celtic’s spending power and that it could take up to three transfer windows to get the squad the way he wants it. Dalglish knows he’ll have targets from his QPR days, with Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell one who is on their radar.
And writing in his Sunday Post column, Dalglish said: “Michael Beale knows he needs to bring in some fresh talent. And the sooner he does that, the better. Perhaps he will need to sell before he can buy? Time will tell. The Rangers boss knows the market, and has good contacts.
“I’m sure he would have had targets when he was manager of QPR, and maybe he will now move for them to bring them to Ibrox. It’s a case of improving the squad over the next two windows because Michael will know that a draw against Celtic this time next year is unlikely to be deemed acceptable.
“As has been the case at Celtic during Ange Postecoglou’s time as manager, recently they’ve been very proactive in the transfer market. This time last year, he recruited the likes of Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda and it catapulted the club towards the title.
We’re only at the end of the first week of this winter transfer window, but Big Ange has already signed Yuki Kobayashi, Alistair Johnston and Tomoki Iwata. By all accounts, all three will have positive things to offer, and can be key in the second half of the season.”
Dalglish admitted he wasn’t “overly impressed” with VAR last week with huge controversy over an alleged handball by Connor Goldson from Carl Starfelt’s shot. John Beaton didn’t point to the spot and VAR Willie Collum didn’t ask the referee to have a second look on the monitor
That left the 71-year-old baffled. He said: “What also needs to be worked on is VAR. I wasn’t overly impressed with it during the Old Firm game. In general terms, the on-field referee must be given the final say on any decisions. He should be allowed to go to the monitor and look at any incidents.
“I’d also like to know how decisions are reached, and why John Beaton wasn’t asked to view the monitor for any decisions last Monday. There is no harm in giving football clubs and football supporters clearer lines of communication and information. I think everybody is entitled to get that. Transparency is important at all levels.”
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