Kirk Broadfoot has only one Rangers title wish as former Ibrox hero tips forgotten strike star to provide cutting edge

Kirk Broadfoot believes Michael Beale is assembling a Rangers squad that can give Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic a run for their money.

The treble-winning Hoops will go into the new season, under new management, but still as firm favourites. Broadfoot, however, reckons his old team should also be stronger. He points to the fact it is Beale’s first pre-season and he will have a full summer window to revamp his Ibrox squad.

That shake-up is already well under way with moves for Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling, Kieran Dowell, Sam Lammers and Abdallah Sima already completed. There are also deals in the pipeline for Cyriel Dessers and Jose Cifuentes. Broadfoot said: “It will be difficult. Michael Beale has a good squad there and if he is getting backed, then it will be difficult for the rest to match that.

“Celtic are in the position of strength. I know there is the possibility of Jota leaving and it depends if they can keep the majority of his squad together and then add to it. Celtic will still be favourites. Brendan is a top manager and he has proved that at every club he has been at. I would like to think the Rangers can close the gap and run Celtic even closer than they did last season.

“Michael has done well since he has been at Rangers. There has been progress and he has been backed again. It looks like the title race could be tight. For the sake of Scottish football, hopefully it goes all the way to the wire.”

The former Rangers star believes now is the time for Beale to really be judged. He came in midway through a season that had gone off the rails under Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Broadfoot added: “With Michael Beale having his first pre-season and a summer window to get his players in, then you would expect Rangers to be