World at their feet- Keith Jackson reckons Micky Beale has been shopping in a niche market

Keith Jackson has described Micky Beale’s five signings as very bold because the Ibrox boss is ‘shopping in a niche market for players who once had the world at their feet’.

That is a reference to signing up three free agents, one loan deal and spending £3.5m on a striker that scored two goals in 34 matches out on loan at two clubs last season.

Beale’s Revolution has been something of a damp squib despite the big build up at the end of last season.

While a job lot of players have arrived five key players from last season have left the club without raising a penny. Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Malik Tillman and Allan McGregor played whenever they were available with Scott Arfield regularly used as an impact substitute.

Other than a token fee for Mateusz Zukowski no players have been sold which further limits Beale’s chances of strengthening the squad. Mirroring last season’s issues Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe are now in the final year of their contracts without any sign of a renewed deal or suggestions of a transfer.

In their Monday Morning Jury feature the Daily Record asks:

What do you make of Michael Beale’s Rangers recruitment so far?

KEITH: It’s been very bold. Beale appears to be shopping in a niche market for players who once had the world at their feet but who have subsequently hit a roadblock in their career paths. As Todd Cantwell has proved, it can be a smart strategy. It will be fascinating to see how he goes about getting the best out of them next season.

Kieran Dowell– Free agent from Norwich where he started 15 Championship matches and made nine substitute appearances

Dujon Sterling– Free agent from Chelsea after starting 24 Championship matches for Stoke City and coming off the bench in two matches

Jack Butland– back up at Crystal Palace and Manchester United last season, his last competitive match was in May 2022

Sam Lammers– was sent on loan to Sampdoria and Empoli last season from Atalanta where he scored twice in 33 Serie A appearances.

Abdallah Sima: Sent out on loan to Angers from Brighton, he scored five times in 34 appearances.