Beale puts transfer plans on hold as focus turns to last chance of trophy

FOR much of the past few weeks, Michael Beale has spent every spare minute working on the future. Hampden, however, is all about the here and now.

Tomorrow’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic inevitably brings a temporary pause to the Rangers manager’s summer recruitment drive. Energy is being concentrated on a last chance to end this season with silverware.

Beale doesn’t believe the outcome of a do-or-die derby will have much influence on what lies beyond. When it comes to persuading players to head for Ibrox, he feels confident in the lure of Rangers regardless.

The exit of sporting director Ross Wilson to Nottingham Forest has given Beale more responsibility in that area. He’s been travelling to see potential signings. Great store is placed in face-to-face meetings.

Sportsmail this week revealed interest in Norwich City playmaker Kieran Dowell, while ex-England goalkeeper Jack Butland and January target Morgan Whittaker are two more on the radar. Talk of a move for QPR winger Chris Willock has, though, been firmly denied.

The summer transfer window will swiftly be back on Beale’s mind following the final blast of Willie Collum’s whistle tomorrow. It has to be. What unfolds between now and the end of August will determine whether Rangers can stage a more credible Premiership title challenge next time around.

Asked, however, if a long-awaited win over Celtic could potentially make the club more appealing to summer targets, Beale said: ‘Not really. I think the big thing is if we win this game, we’ve got a chance of winning a trophy this year. If we don’t, we haven’t.

‘The next year we start from level pickings and off we go. With all the players I’ve been away talking to, the club pretty much sells itself in terms of the opportunity it gives.

‘You can play in front of 50,000, the facilities here and at Ibrox are outstanding, there’s a chance to play in Europe. What’s not to like for a young player or a player of any level coming in?

‘This weekend will have a big impact on this group of players here now, not players coming in from outside.

‘I have been busy outside of here. I have been working really hard. I have stopped the last couple of days because the focus is very much on the game, but I am pleased with the way things are going.’

Incomings are only part of the story. Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Allan McGregor and Scott Arfield are among the first-team players whose contracts soon expire.

For those about to leave, the showdown with Celtic will determine if they have an opportunity to sign off with silverware.

‘They’re all in different places and their circumstances are different, so I don’t want to be dramatic and say it’s this one or that one’s last chance,’ added Beale.

‘Each individual will look at things differently. They’re all in quite a good place at the moment. They’ve had real clarity from me in terms of conversations.

‘Look, I don’t want to create too much drama around this game. It’s clearly a big game. You guys will sharpen your pencils around that anyway.

‘Let’s just play the game and bring the best version of ourselves. The last game a couple of weeks ago (a 3-2 loss at Parkhead), we performed well. If we perform at the same level without one or two mistakes, then this game will be a very good one for the neutral. It’s clear Celtic are a good team and we’ll need to bring our best to get to the cup final.’

There is, of course, another category of Rangers player stuck between those yet to arrive and those about to leave. Does Beale feel the contingent he expects to keep next season have something to prove to him this weekend?

‘I don’t think they have to prove anything to me. Maybe to themselves. ‘It’s a big opportunity as a player. We are at a club where there is an opportunity to win. Whatever stage of your career you’re at, there is only a certain number of opportunities to go and win something.

‘This weekend is a big opportunity to win a semi-final and take us to the final. After that, you have to go and do it all again.

‘So they don’t have anything to prove to me. Maybe to themselves — and maybe to the fans, for sure. That will to win, that’s what they signed up for, coming here.

‘This season we’re going to finish second in the league and runners-up in one cup competition.

‘We want to go and win this cup — and will be bitterly disappointed if we don’t. But we have to keep looking forward.’

For Beale himself, significance is attached to the semi-final. A third successive loss to Celtic — after a 2-2 draw in his first Old Firm game in charge — would reduce his post-summer margin for error in the eyes of some fans.

Assessing progress since his arrival last November, Beale said: ‘In 23 games, we’ve won 19 and, until a couple of weeks ago, our record looked strong.

‘We’ve had a couple of defeats that have been hard to take in the last couple of weeks.

‘But progress has been made in that we’re clearer on what decisions we need to make this summer. Clearly that’s ongoing in the background, where we need to recruit, the areas we need to improve.

‘Obviously, if you’ve played the team in front of you — and this will be the fourth game — you have a good idea of what you need to overcome them.

‘Everyone has their own opinion. My opinion is that we are working away well. There was a reason I came into the club in the first place.

‘There is a lot of harmony behind the scenes. There has obviously been change within the club structure as well and that is ongoing.

‘But I am super positive about the future.’

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