Kris Boyd says Rangers need to get 'better quality' in the door if they are to topple Celtic.
The former Light Blues star and Sky Sports pundit believes Michael Beale faces a massive summer rebuild and recruitment drive. He has a number of high profile names out of contract at the end of the season including Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent while a number of fringe men could also leave as he puts his own stamp on the Ibrox club.
Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin arrived as two January recruits and Boyd reckons if his former club can add 'bits of quality' around the duo, you could see the pair going up another level in performance. He's in no doubt Rangers will have eyes across the globe in their search for new talent with the Ibrox boss wanting at least five new faces.
READ MORE: Kieran Dowell a Rangers 'summer transfer target' as Michael Beale eyes second Norwich City swoop
Jack Butland - on loan at Manchester United - is reported to be on the brink of joining the club as the new No1 for next season while Kieran Dowell at Norwich City has also been linked with a move north of the border as Beale looks for players who can make the difference as they bid to stop Ange Postecoglou's rampant side.
He said: “It’s a massive game for both clubs. For obvious reasons. Celtic are looking at it that if they can win this it will be another Treble in the bag.
“And Rangers are looking at it and thinking they need to stop Celtic. There’s no doubt that it doesn’t really change much for me in terms of Rangers going forward.
“It would be great to get your hands on that Scottish Cup, but it’s a massive rebuild, it’s a massive summer of recruitment for Rangers. You look at the players who are out of contract and I think, if you’re going to topple Celtic, you’re going to have to get better quality in certain areas of the pitch.
“When you look at every Old Firm game, if you win it, the mood changes. That’s what it does because it means so much to so many people in their lives.
“Does it change it? It would obviously help, but nothing changes in that it is a massive summer of recruitment for Rangers.”
He added: “We’ve seen the two players that Beale has been able to bring in so far in Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell and, if you can add bits of quality around them, you could see them going up a level as well. There is no doubt Rangers will be searching the world to try and find players to go in and make a difference because they are going to need three or four at least to, over the course of a season, go with Celtic.
“You would have to say Rangers and Celtic are miles ahead of the rest and, if you do drop points, it is very difficult to claw them back because you can’t see any of the other teams taking points.
“That’s where the improvement has been for Rangers until Sunday. You can look at them and yes they have lost to Celtic, but Rangers under Beale have been really good. But they have just come up against a juggernaut in terms of Celtic that’s been difficult to stop.”
**Kris Boyd spoke at his annual Charity Golf Day at Turnberry. The Boyd charity raises funds and awareness for mental health**
READ NEXT:
- Rangers player ratings vs Aberdeen as Michael Beale suffers pre-Celtic defeat in Pittodrie misfire
- Todd Cantwell revisits Celtic Rangers social media storm as he makes 'always interact' vow
