Barry Ferguson triggers major Rangers transfer thrill over new striker as he rues Celtic's 'genuine pest'

Rangers legend Barry Ferguson is utterly convinced Michael Beale will be honing in on a game–changing striker who will usher in his Ibrox rebuild.

The Englishman has made no secret of his desire to land a new talisman with Alfredo Morelos facing a summer exit with only weeks remaining on his current deal. Kemar Roofe's luckless injury streak makes his future uncertain and Antonio Colak has been unable to replicate his early season hot streak since Beale replaced Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.

And Ferguson is certain Rangers will be putting the finishing touches on his revamp and that's despite sporting director Ross Wilson's future up for debate with Nottingham Forest keen to land his services. Speaking on Go Radio, the former Rangers captain said. "Number nines, we have spoken about it. They are so hard to find, they cost the most money, Michael Beale has got a big job on his hands.

"I do believe they are closing to signing one. I don't know who it is, so it will be interesting to see. A No.9 is high on the priority list for me. I'm confident if he has the funds he (Beale) will bring in the right players.

The conversation turned to Kyogo and Ferguson – a major admirer of the Celtic difference maker – made his opinion clear on the man who can't stop scoring against Rangers. He added: "He's a genuine pest, isn't he?"

And that was before the pundit reinforced his one area of hope for the mammoth Scottish Cup semi final to come between the great rivals on April 30. He said: "I think to stop Celtic, that is as many times I have seen Celtic give the ball away in a game and get harassed. If you stop Callum McGregor you do stop Celtic generally from playing. But when you get the ball you need to focus on your game and forget