Michael Beale admits he has been holding face to face talks with Rangers transfer targets with his side four of five players away from where he wants them.
The Light Blues boss has been using every day off and free moments in his busy diary to travel and meet potential incomings as he plans for a big summer of activity. He used the same process to land January arrivals Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell and it is a route he will continue to use going forward.
It's set to be a busy period off the field at Ibrox in terms of incomings and outgoings with a number of high profile players out of contract in the summer. Ryan Kent - linked with Burnley - and Alfredo Morelos are amongst a group that also contains Ryan Jack, Allan McGregor and Steven Davis. Beale admits his Rangers squad needs more 'variety and depth' with the potential to be challenging in the Champions League or Europa League alongside domestic matters which can throw up three-games a week for around 14 to 15 weeks of the season.
READ MORE: Rangers captain James Tavernier surprises kids at Castlemilk community football pitch
Speaking on the talkSPORT breakfast show with Ally McCoist and Laura Woods, Beale said: "Obviously Ross Wilson moved on last week but a lot of the plans have been in place since I came in in November. It's something we've been constantly talking about every day, if you like.
"We were so close in terms of here at the training ground. Now Ross has moved on, I'm leading that and I've been away speaking to some players over the last couple of days and it's something that's constantly ongoing in the background.
"I think in the short period right now, it may suit me better than someone coming in in the middle of what we're doing. I feel like I've got really good support from John Park and the recruitment.
"I feel like I've got real good support from the recruitment staff. A lot of the work's been done, it's now executing it. I'm quite fussy, I like to go and meet the players and see them face to face.
"That was how we did it with Niko Raskin and Tom Cantwell. It wasn't just the businessmen dealing with it, I like to go and see these boys and sit in front of them. I've been away doing that over the last few weeks; every day off, every moment in the schedule when I can, I've been away travelling to meet people along with Ross.
"Now, I'll just continue to do that on my own. I've got a real clear idea of what I want to do in the summer and how I want the team to look. That's taking nothing away from the players that I have here now, and have gone on a really good run and shown improvement. I'm pleased with the boys, but it's fair to say for the fans and the team as well that we need some fresh faces in and the energy that that brings.
"When you are sitting down with a player and you are talking about the history and what our club provides a player, I think you can see why it's such a big club and why players are really intrigued and excited to come here. That energy they will bring into the room will help the team for sure."
He continued: "Since I've come in, there's obviously been the one result in the league that was disappointing which was last weekend. I thought we played quite well in the game and the result went against us. On another day, it could have gone for us.
"I think right now, this group has probably given me what they can, and we're probably four or five players away from being where I want us to be. That's nothing against the players that are playing just now, it will just make us stronger.
"Certainly the first part of the season next year, with hopefully the Champions League, if not definitely the Europa League, we've got 14 or 15 weeks of 3-game weeks, and it's fair to say our squad needs more variety and depth.
READ NEXT:
- Rangers' Ryan Kent 'to be watched' as Burnley weigh up move to take him to English Premier League
- Rangers captain James Tavernier surprises kids at Castlemilk community football pitch
- Rangers 5 St Mirren 2 as Todd Cantwell steps up, Fashion Sakala impresses - 3 things we learned
- Rangers player ratings vs St Mirren as Todd Cantwell shines and Alfredo Morelos hits double
- Ally McCoist names four Rangers transfers Michael Beale needs more than Ross Wilson replacement
