Michael Beale sparks Rangers transfer theory as tactics board shows where boss is poised to make next signing

He has shifted at times to three at the back and could that mean Rangers are in the market for another centre-back?

It's a question on Alan Hutton's mind as Michael Beale's side look to make the Champions League group stages after booking a play-off tie against PSV by beating Servette in their third round qualifier, sealed with a 1-1 draw in Geneva. The Ibrox boss has Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Ben Davies and Leon King as senior options to call upon when everybody is fit. While he has often used a 4-3-3 formation, Beale has also hinted at changes towards a three at the back system.

There's also been links to various centre-backs, with Harry Souttar and Zak Vyner links clamped by the boss after pursuits for Auston Trusty and Jonathan Panzo. Peterborough's Ronnie Edwards is the latest and former right-back Hutton wonders if that area of the park is where Beale will look to make his next signing, while he also expects other areas of the squad to be trimmed.

He told the BBC: "There's more to come from this Rangers side, including the new signings. But the manager will have been provided with another example of the players he can trust and lean on.

"There will be ones in there he knows are his leaders, like James Tavernier, he's a real captain. He keeps popping up with huge goals on European nights.

"Connor Goldson and John Souttar were solid at the back and Jack Butland was brilliant, making two massive saves in the first half. Nicolas Raskin was outstanding, especially in that second half.

"They're quite heavily loaded in the forward areas, so you would maybe expect a couple to leave. If you look at centre-half position, if he's going to play three at the back, is that perhaps somewhere they could look to