It was a remark that had Rangers followers racking their brains as one switch window got here to an finish they usually already began looking forward to the following one. Simply who was that thriller quantity 9 that Micheal Beale alluded to as he spoke of his plans to strengthen the squad?

“I’d prefer to carry one other No 9 into the constructing that’s completely different to what we’ve obtained,” he stated. “My eyes are on that and I’ve obtained my goal however he’s in all probability not obtainable proper now. He shall be in the summertime. I don’t wish to provide you with names as a result of everybody else may begin liking him.”

It was an actual tease from Beale and despatched supporters into overdrive as they tried to work out from these clues simply who it could be. A finisher like Antonio Colak however with the link-up play? A towering goal man various to Alfredo Morelos? Document Sport determined to have a crack at a number of the choices it may very well be.

Lyndon Dykes

The Aussie-born Scotland strike star was steadily linked with a transfer to Ibrox whereas he was at Livingston throughout Beale’s time at Rangers alongside Steven Gerrard. It didn’t materialise and the 27-year-old joined QPR as a substitute the place Beale ended up working with the frontman. He would nonetheless have one yr left on his Loftus Highway contract in the summertime however that may tempt them to money in slightly than threat him operating down his deal. A bodily presence up entrance however Dykes is extra cellular than Antonio Colak and would provide one thing completely different to the Croat. And he’s an admirer of Beale’s work, saying after he left for Ibrox: “All of us obtained on with the supervisor – he was nice. He got here in and knew what he needed to do right away – he was very agency, and his coaching classes have been superb. “I’m certain he’ll do nice up there. He’s very extremely spoken of within the soccer scene.”

Cameron Archer

Like Nicolas Raskin who did arrive at Ibrox in January, the England Underneath-21 worldwide was linked with a transfer to the Gentle Blues previous to Michael Beale’s appointment. The Aston Villa man is more likely to be somebody who has been on Ross Wilson’s checklist for a while however Beale would have labored with him at Villa Park. He has simply made his third mortgage transfer to away from Villa Park after becoming a member of Middlesbrough so wouldn’t be obtainable till the summer season. Nevertheless, it could nonetheless require the Midlands aspect deciding his future lies elsewhere as he does have a contract till 2027. Nonetheless an possibility if Unai Emery doesn’t see him as a part of the primary group plans.

Ross Stewart

The Sunderland man received’t be obtainable till the summer season however sadly that’s because of the reality he’s out for the rest of the marketing campaign with an Achilles damage. Crucially, his contract on the Stadium of Gentle will enter its last 12 months initially of subsequent season.

(Picture: PA)

The previous Ross County man – nicknamed the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ – has been on the Rangers membership’s radar beforehand and is on of the highest strikers within the Championship.

Gue-Sung Cho

Rangers have been reported to be difficult Celtic for the South Korea striker’s signature earlier than the Parkhead aspect switched targets and landed his compatriot Oh. The World Cup man shifting on from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in January with Mainz and the Hoops battling it out. Rangers’ identify then emerged. The 25-year-old then opted to remain within the Okay-League and appears more likely to be obtainable once more in the summertime so he ticks that field, though it’s hardly a secret.

Josh Maja

One-time Celtic goal hasn’t fairly lived as much as the hype throughout his Sunderland days, though suffered a season-ending knee damage after leaving the Stadium of Gentle for Bordeaux. His contract on the French Ligue 2 aspect Bordeaux is up in the summertime so, once more, makes him a possible possibility. Nigeria cap was linked with a £4 million transfer to Fulham within the January switch window and at 24-years-old falls into the Todd Cantwell class of a participant who Michael Beale might look to reinvigorate.

Oli McBurnie

Boyhood Rangers followers has typically been linked with a transfer to Ibrox however his transfer from Swansea to Sheffield United noticed him go for a staggering £20 million. The Gentle Blues couldn’t have matched that type of charge however his contract at Brammall Lane expires on the finish of the season. At 26-years-old, might the Scotland striker be a shrewd free switch acquisition?

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