Michael Beale reveals 4 Rangers necessities new No.9 must have as he talks plural with extra firepower hint

Michael Beale can never be accused of not knowing what he wants.

Whether he’ll get it this summer? That remains to be seen. But the Rangers boss has a vision of how he sees his new team at the start of August. And at the top end of the pitch he wants to secure HIS version of what an Ibrox centre-forward should look like. So far in his tenure as boss, he has been restricted in that sense. Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe have both been injured for long spells.

And Alfredo Morelos – for all his quality when he’s at his best – isn’t the energetic, mobile, relentless striker that Beale has set his heart on. That’s why the Colombian will be allowed to leave Rangers this summer. A few weeks ago, the manager claimed that frontman Kyogo Furuhashi is the reason why Celtic are the Premiership champions. That’s how much emphasis he puts on a No.9 and their role within a side.

So is Beale on the look-out for a new centre-forward? “No, we’re looking for centre-forwards,” he replied. Even if Colak and Roofe are still at Ibrox next season, the Gers gaffer knows exactly what the new boys must bring. Beale said: “So far I’ve had to play the striker who is fit rather than picking one for the team.

“When we play in Europe or big games here, EVERY player must take part in every minute of the game. I like forwards who aren’t just in one position. They interchange, move around and have freedom on the pitch.

“Whenever we have done well in Europe, every player took part in all aspects of the game. That is a big thing for me. I want energy, I want speed, I want to see personality in a centre-forward.

“If you want to be a No.9 for Rangers you need to have that. In the last few weeks I have been busy, travelling extensively to have meetings with