Michael Beale faces gruelling Rangers puzzle summer rebuild hasn't solved as makeshift defence theory shut down

James McFadden can't quite get his head around the recruitment rebuild strategy at Rangers this summer - claiming that there is no rest for the wicked in defence amid the lack of backline signings Michael Beale has made.

The Europa League 25-man squad registration rules means that managers must look carefully as to who they should and shouldn't select ahead of the gruelling campaigns. It's something that has come back to bite rivals Celtic already, with their inclusion of Liel Abada being short-lived by his injury picked up on Israel international duty, and that now means they must turn to other options in the confirmed team.

But for Rangers, it's a different story. Ridvan Yilmaz was left out of the squad alongside Leon Balogun, and already Ibrox fans are sharing their concerns over defensive options compared to the top-heavy side Michael Beale bolstered in the window, with Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Abdallah Sima and Danilo all coming in as Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Fashion Sakala and Antonio Colak left.

And, with European games set to come thick and fast, McFadden has questioned the lack of backline cover in the summer window as an oversight, stating that he can't just keep going back to his favourites on a Thursday-Sunday schedule, otherwise they'll tire out.

He told the Open Goal podcast: "When you look at Rangers and say they are four games into their group of their six, if they're either qualified for no chance of qualifying, the same players are going to play the last two games with no recovery going into the league games.

"Ideally you could rest or make some changes, but you've got no great options there."

Presenter Si Ferry argued that John Lundstram could play centre-half if needed, but McFadden quickly