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Glasgow Live
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Alan Galindo

Michael Beale highlights Rangers summer transfer window importance as he fires 'change' warning

Michael Beale has highlighted the importance of the summer transfer window as he warned his current Rangers crop: 'There is going to be change'.

The Light Blues gaffer started putting his own stamp on his squad in January as he snapped up Todd Cantwell from Norwich City and Nicolas Raskin from Standard Liege. He's stated the desire already to add to his goalkeeping ranks and a new No9 with Freddie Woodman the latest option between the sticks to be linked with a summer move to Ibrox.

The Ibrox side face a big summer of transition with a number of stars including Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Allan McGregor, Ryan Jack and Steven Davis out of contract. There also a number of players on the fringes and not getting game-time at the club and they could be moved on with boss stating his wants to build a strong team. 12 games plus the Scottish Cup campaign remain this season as the 42-year-old makes the decision over who he wants to keep and move on ahead of the new season.

READ MORE: James Sands breaks Rangers exit silence as New York City deal signed despite European 'opportunities'

He lost his first game in charge at Hampden on Sunday as Celtic retained their League Cup following a 2-1 win at the national stadium thanks to Kyogo Furuhashi's double. it's back to league matters this weekend against Kilmarnock as Rangers look to return to winning ways.

Speaking to the media, Beale said: "Lots of disappointment as we underperformed on the day. That's everyone players and staff.

"The disappointment won't go anywhere quickly, but we have to move forward. We have made good progress and we have to continue to improve and go on another run.

"We have to play to our gameplan and show our game, we are capable of more than our display at the weekend. In our general play, and in open play with the football, we lacked quality and composure.

"There is 12 league game and a cup quarter-final, we still have to improve every game. We have a number of games left to play, the team has made steady progress but not outstanding. We have to keep moving forward, the summer window is very important for the football club.

"I want to build a strong team. It is my job to take the emotion out of the match and then make decisions on who we want to stick around as we move and build forward. When the window reopens, there is going to be change.

"We have been in excellent form in the league but we haven't been able to close the gap. We have made progress and have played with more style, but we didn't perform on Sunday.

"The job to build the team would still have been the same whether we won or lost. In the summer, we are at a point of change.

"We know we have two more derbies before the end of the season and we are focused on a better showing in these games, we also expect a potential third match in the Scottish Cup."

On the injury front, he added: No fresh injuries. [John] Souttar has returned to the squad. Ridvan [Yilmaz] probably needs a bounce game before he can return in the coming weeks."

John Lundstram in action for Rangers vs Celtic in the League Cup Final at Hampden (SNS Group)

Reacting to the defeat to Cetlic, John Lundstram added: "It was a tough one at the weekend, it stings but we have to go into the weekend now and get a result. We have to get this out of our system this weekend, we spoke to each other and we know we need to do better. Nobody was angrier and more disappointed than the players.

"You have to go home and look at yourself, I take responsibility for my performance. I wasn't as involved in the game as I would have liked. We have to go for the remainder of the season and push in the league and push to win the Scottish Cup.

"I just want to win trophies with this football club. I welcome the new additions to the midfield which will help us as we move forward in future.

"It is important we all stick together and go on a good run now. We are all disappointed and we need to put it right. We have spoken internally about where we went wrong. That is on us as players. We have to stay focused, work hard and try to stay positive which is obviously hard after a poor result.

READ NEXT:

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- Fashion Sakala's Rangers howler blasted as Andy Halliday gives honest Celtic pre-match dig verdict

- Nicolas Raskin fires Rangers 'together' message after Celtic loss as he issues nine word rally cry

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