Michael Beale has revealed the changing Ibrox factors that altered his plans in the closing stages of the transfer window.
The Englishman confirmed on Friday afternoon that he would not be bolstering his squad in the final hours of business on deadline day after making nine signings earlier in the summer.
Beale had previously spoken about adding a centre-back and a replacement for winger Ryan Kent to his ranks and taking his recruitment drive into double-figures this term.
But a move for a stopper – believed to be Sheffield United defender Auston Trusty – failed to materialise and the re-emergence of Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence has given Beale fresh food for thought in recent weeks.
Beale said: “We went a long way down the road for a left sided centre-back earlier in the window to provide competition for Ben Davies.
“We were priced out by a Premier League club who paid more than we were willing to pay. That was the Board and me. We thought the fee paid was outside the value of that player.
“In terms of getting a dribbler for wide areas, we also wanted to see if someone from inside could take a step up and we got a bit step up from Rabbi Matondo and the return of fitness from Tom Lawrence, which gives me a lot of optimism.
“By the time we get back from the international break, I think Tom will be ready to start and become a main player in our team again.
“Ben Davies came into pre-season injured from an injury he got at the end of last season. He’s been fit for the last two weeks but I feel John Souttar has been playing well enough to keep him out of the team. I feel we have adequate players to get us to where we want to be.”
