Michael Stewart spots Rangers transfer 'similarity' as Kilmarnock defeat highlights new signings miss two traits

May 16, 2023

The BBC Scotland pundit reckons there were 'concerning' factors at play as Rangers lost to Kilmarnock.

Michael Stewart reckons Rangers transfer policy has one glaring issue, that some of Michael Beale's new signings are 'very similar'.

The BBC Scotland pundit watched as Beale's men fell to an opening day defeat against Kilmarnock, with five of Rangers' nine summer signings starting at Rugby Park as Derek McInnes' men put the Light Blues to the sword. A Brad Lyons goal was enough to consign Beale and Co to the journey back up the M8 with no points. The London boss handed league debuts to the likes of Abdallah Sima, Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers, while Kieran Dowell slotted in the middle and Jack Butland was between the sticks.

But questions were raised by fans and pundits alike following the drab defeat, and Stewart believes that the Ibrox side could be missing a 'grit and determination' from some of the newest arrivals. It was a Rangers side that saw a familiar back four and the likes of John Lundstram deployed in the engine room but the former Hearts man theorised that many of the fresh faces might have too similar a style, and that balance is what is needed.

When asked if it was a case of new players failing to gel, he told BBC Sportscene: "I think that's what Rangers fans would hope. There was a bit concerning watching that game from a Rangers perspective.

"It looks to me like a lot of the players they brought in are nice footballers. I didn't see a lot of grit and determination, that when they going gets tough they're going to step up to the plate.

"There was an overhaul that was needed. The manager spoke about it himself. But on initial viewing it looks as if there are a lot of players that are very similar.

"Anybody would tell you that when putting together a team, you need a balance and a mix. I'm not 100 per cent sure that was there."