It hasn't been the greatest start to 2023 for me personally.

I’ve not been well since the 27th of last month and what started off as a cold has floored me since. That’s why I’ve been missing from the Rangers Review morning briefing and Rangers work in general.

On a brighter note, Michael Beale’s strong start continued with a solid victory at Tannadice, even if I didn’t agree with his post-match assessment. He felt it was the “most complete” performance so far and believed his side were largely in control of the match.

It certainly didn’t feel that way during the first half to this viewer. I was uncomfortable with the moments United had. Steven Fletcher evaded our defence to put one wide and Liam Smith ran forward from centre-back but, thankfully, also missed the target.

Rangers were slow and ponderous before the break. Clearly, Antonio Colak is a long way short of match sharpness while eventual match-winners Malik Tillman and Fashion Sakala weren’t at it.

Perhaps I am being unrealistic. Beale was indeed correct in pointing out that Jon McLaughlin was largely untroubled in goals. Allan McGregor hasn’t been terrible or superb so the signs of some rotation between the sticks offer an interesting dynamic and potentially a resolution until the position is sorted out long-term this summer.

After the break, Rangers clicked into gear. Sakala, who’d been falling over his feet before the break, started and finished a superb move, cracking a volley into the roof of the net. Two minutes later good play on the right presented the Zambian with another chance, but it was Tillman who turned converter with his sixth goal involvement in as many games.

And truthfully, this sums up Rangers under Beale for me so far. Capable of producing moments without a real complete performance. Importantly, we are getting all-important results and positives are clear in every game. The team looks more solid and able to deal with setbacks while attacking patterns are starting to form.

That will be important come Sunday afternoon as Rangers look to reach the League Cup final. Make no mistake, there’s pressure on Beale to return silverware this season and the cup competitions offer the most realistic route of a trophy or two. With two more Old Firm games to go in the league, there’s still plenty to play for on every front and nothing is decided.

So, the signs are positive following a steady start, but how can we achieve that extra spark? I think most would agree a signing or two must arrive before this window slams shut.

There’s been plenty of names mentioned with Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell one put to the manager following Sunday’s win against Dundee United.

My thoughts on recruitment have been clear for some time. Beale must be backed in the transfer market and given the final say on any arrivals. It’s something that both the manager and Ross Wilson assured me would be the case during his unveiling press conference late last year.

I have a lot of trust in Beale’s ability to identify players that will reach their peak and realise their potential at Ibrox. He has previous in this, having been influential in the signings of Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey.

So that’s why, for this writer, if the manager identifies Cantwell or any player who arrives at Ibrox this window, I’m more than happy to trust him. He knows the demands of Ibrox and what it takes for a player to thrive in this environment, as emphasised at the weekend.

READ MORE: Rangers transfer scouting: Todd Cantwell's Ibrox credentials assessed

“I have to feel that they are someone who can come to Ibrox in front of 52,000 and really will grow and not shrink,” Beale said.

“That is the biggest question I have when I sit in front of a player – are they going to shrink at Ibrox or grow? We need growers and people who are going to come in in the next two or three years and help us win trophies and do well in Europe.”

Perhaps any incomings are unlikely to be confirmed before Sunday’s semi-final against Aberdeen when Beale will hope to continue that positive start. It’s a big game and a big chance to earn a spot in a cup final.

However, while Beale is driving things I’m comfortable with the direction the club is heading in and that extends to the profile of player recruited. He has a massive job on his hands despite the results achieved so far, this squad still needs a lot of surgery and the wins must always tick along while his style of play develops.

We don’t ask for much, do we? That’s life at Rangers.