Rangers' January transfer window assessed - Joshua Barrie

Up until that point his focus had been on navigating a busy league schedule and assessing players already in the building, all while implementing a new playing style.

“I don’t want short-term [signings] until the end of the season because there is no point, to appease myself or the fans. We need people to come in that will be big players for Rangers in the next two or three years,” he said following the 2-2 draw with Celtic. Plenty more updates would follow in the coming weeks.

“My bit is done if that makes sense, and now it is over to other people to finalise things,” was Beale’s message after meeting with players personally early in the month.

“We only bring people in that are starters. We want people coming in to be exciting now but exciting in the future as well,” he said after a 2-0 win at Tannadice.

“It’s important I bring people in that can drive this club forward over the next couple of years. It’s not just me, I want to feel that I’ve got players in the squad that I’m going on a journey with,” was the update before a 1-0 Scottish Cup win at St Johnstone.

Beale’s appointment marked the start of a new era and it was important that, despite strong results since his arrival and the traditional difficulties of recruiting in January, statement signings were made. Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin fit the mould of exciting arrivals in the here and now but are both far from the finished package. They’re two players who can feasibly have a team built around them over the next two to three years, exactly what Beale was after.

The midfield was the area that clearly required investment, energy and inspiration during this window. As the spine of this squad transitions to a new guard, Beale has his eyes on either end of the pitch heading into the summer.

“I’d like to bring another No.9 that’s different to the ones we’ve got. My eyes are on that, I have my target on that but that target is probably not available right now but will be in the summer,” was his judgement on a new striker, with a goalkeeper and centre-half also on the agenda.

Every arrival in this window had to be about the long term. Rangers needed to strengthen for the remainder of this season, with silverware to be won, but the predominant focus was attaining players that can take centre-stage in Beale’s Rangers. There was simply no point in modelling a window like last January when Aaron Ramsey and Amad Diallo arrived because this squad and their circumstance are very different.

So, how does the squad look heading into the second half of the season?

The goalkeeping question, analysed in greater detail here, is always one mistake from resurfacing. Beale’s opted to use McLaughlin for “certain types of games” away from home given his superior ability to claim crosses, compared to Allan McGregor.

Steven Gerrard favoured a similar method of goalkeeping rotation at the start of last season. Beale has reaffirmed McGregor’s identity as No.1 in recent weeks but clearly, this is a stopgap that requires summer attention.

READ MORE: Meet Nicolas Raskin, the midfielder Rangers have been looking for

There’s an argument that Rangers remain slightly light in the defensive department. John Souttar can’t be relied upon until he puts together a consistent run of games and Leon King’s not seen much football after being thrown in at the deep end earlier in the campaign. Ridvan Yilmaz is nearing a return from a hamstring injury sustained back in October.

Raskin totally changes the dynamic of the midfield. John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara are not players you’d build the midfield around for the next few years but the 21-year-old Belgian very much is. Yesterday’s arrival is the type of signing that can aid Beale in his bid to build a ‘new rangers’; being young, ambitious and able to drive this team forwards.

The Belgian is a dynamic, technically-capable No.6 who can be fielded slightly higher up the pitch if necessary. He prioritises playing forward and, as reflected by his creative numbers, creates chances for teammates directly.

Cantwell arrives at Ibrox through a similar loophole. After the highs of his early career, Beale admitted the 24-year-old would’ve been out of the club's reach. Similarly, Cantwell can drive this team forwards because he, in his own words, has a few people to prove wrong and no time to waste with a 25th birthday approaching.

Caveats surrounding Cantwell never focused on his ability. Naturally, after a player has starred in the Premier League and then tailed off, some reservations will surface. His debut, and early media appearances, give reason for optimism. There were easier transfers than the unique demands of Ibrox, after all.

The forward line and attacking midfield unit are heavily populated. When reiterating that Morgan Whittaker would be staying at Swansea last week Beale highlighted the depth of personnel in that area of the pitch. With Antonio Colak back fit, Alfredo Morelos looking sharper and Kemar Roofe set to return early from a shoulder injury, waiting until the summer to bring in a No.9 makes logical sense.

Rangers leave January stronger than they entered. They’re better having acquired two players who fit Beale’s request for starters, instead of amassing quantity which didn't equate to quality. 

This window was about accelerating Beale's Ibrox revolution through incomings. In Raskin and Cantwell, he has two players that fit the bill he outlined at the start of the month.