Beale welcomes Hagi back after a year out

Rangers manager Michael Beale is excited about the impact a fitagain Ianis Hagi and new signing Todd Cantwell will have on his squad as he insisted there was no urgent need for other arrivals.

Hagi is back in the squad for St Johnstone’s visit today following a year out with a knee injury. Cantwell arrived from Norwich earlier in the week.

Beale revealed there had been no movement on their pursuit of Morgan Whittaker in recent days after Swansea rejected an offer for the striker earlier in the month.

He rejected claims Rangers had signed Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin on a pre-contract.

Beale said: “He (Raskin) is obviously a player we like, there are negotiations going on between the clubs but they are not the only ones we are speaking to.

“I knew coming into the club that this window was round the corner but the club might have targets that don’t fit in with my ideas or plans, and vice-versa, the ones I want might not be available now.”

He added: “I think our squad is strong enough to get to the end of the season.”

Beale has been heartened by the easing of the club’s injury situation with Hagi’s return a major boost.

“I’m delighted to have him back, he looks really sharp,” Beale said. “He’s not ready for 90 minutes but to have Ianis Hagi and Todd Cantwell in the squad, I’m a really happy manager.

“Kemar Roofe is not far from returning to training, we have Antonio Colak fitter, and with Ianis and Todd in there, we look a better Rangers.

“All of a sudden we are starting to look like we have numbers up the pitch.”