Mick Beale’s tenure as Rangers manager was short-lived, but his transfer dealings continue to shape the club’s current squad. Of the eight players he signed permanently during the summer of 2023, only two can be realistically considered successes—Jack Butland and Cyriel Dessers—while the rest have either struggled with injuries, been loaned out, or outright failed to make an impact.
Jack Butland – The Closest to a True Success
If there is one signing from Beale’s era that Rangers fans can look back on with a degree of satisfaction, it’s Jack Butland. The former England international arrived from Crystal Palace on a free transfer, and for much of his time at Ibrox, he has looked like one of the best goalkeepers in Scotland. His performances in Europe, particularly his heroics in the penalty shoot-out against Fenerbahce in the Europa League last-16, have earned him plaudits.
However, his season hasn’t been flawless. Butland has made a few costly errors in recent weeks, leading to criticism from some supporters. That said, he has undoubtedly saved Rangers more points than he has cost them. His ability to pull off crucial saves in high-pressure moments has been invaluable, and despite the occasional mistake, he has been a key player in the club’s push for silverware.
Cyriel Dessers – A Frustrating but Effective Goal-Scorer
Few players divide opinion among Rangers fans as much as Cyriel Dessers. The Nigerian international has an undeniable ability to score goals—netting 22 in each of his two seasons at Ibrox—but his inconsistency and tendency to miss easy chances often overshadow his contributions.
Barry Ferguson summed it up best when he said Dessers can make the difficult look easy and the easy look difficult. One moment, he is scoring a brilliant goal; the next, he is missing a sitter from five yards out. Despite this, the raw numbers speak for themselves. In a team that has lacked a reliable goal-scorer since Alfredo Morelos’ decline, Dessers has at least provided a steady stream of goals.
Dujon Sterling and Danilo – Injuries Stalling Their Progress
Dujon Sterling was seen as a promising addition when he arrived from Chelsea, offering versatility and physicality. However, his impact has been limited by injuries, preventing him from establishing himself as a regular starter. When fit, he has shown flashes of quality, but he has yet to prove he can be a long-term solution for Rangers.
Danilo, the £6m signing from Feyenoord, was arguably Beale’s most exciting addition. The Brazilian forward arrived with high expectations, but like Sterling, injuries have severely hampered his time at the club. When he has played, he has shown glimpses of his ability, but his lack of consistent game time has made it difficult for him to justify his price tag.
Leon Balogun – A Reliable but Limited Squad Player
Leon Balogun’s return to Rangers was seen as a short-term solution to provide depth in central defense. While he has done a respectable job as a squad player, he is not a long-term answer. At 35, his best years are behind him, and while he remains a useful option for certain games, he was never meant to be a cornerstone of Beale’s rebuild.
Kieran Dowell and Jose Cifuentes – Loaned Out and Likely Finished at Ibrox
Kieran Dowell arrived from Norwich City as a free agent, but his time at Rangers has been underwhelming. Injuries and a lack of impact when given opportunities saw him fall out of favor, and he is now out on loan. The likelihood of him having a future at Ibrox is slim.
Jose Cifuentes, a highly rated Ecuadorian midfielder, was expected to be a dynamic presence in midfield. Instead, his time at Rangers has been disappointing, with poor performances and disciplinary issues leading to his loan departure. Like Dowell, he does not appear to have a future at the club.
Sam Lammers – The Biggest Flop
Without a doubt, the worst signing of Beale’s tenure was Sam Lammers. The Dutch forward was signed from Atalanta for around £3.5m, but his time at Rangers was nothing short of disastrous. He struggled for goals, looked completely out of his depth, and was eventually loaned out after just a few months.
Making matters worse, reports suggest that Rangers had the chance to sign Nikola Krstovic for just £3.2m that same summer. Krstovic, now playing for Lecce in Serie A, has been outperforming many big-name strikers, including Romelu Lukaku. The Montenegrin forward has already reached double digits in goals this season, proving that Rangers may have missed out on a much better option.
Missed Opportunity: Nikola Krstovic
Back in 2023, Rangers reportedly scouted Nikola Krstovic while he was tearing up the Slovakian league with 26 goals in a season. Instead of moving to Ibrox, he joined Lecce, where he has already written his name into club history with his performances in Serie A.
Krstovic recently scored a stunning brace against AC Milan, proving he can deliver on the big stage. While he shares some of Dessers’ inconsistencies, his raw talent and goal-scoring ability suggest he could have been a much better investment than Lammers.
Final Verdict: A Poor Transfer Window Overall
Looking back, Mick Beale’s summer transfer window at Rangers was largely a failure. While Jack Butland and Cyriel Dessers have provided value in their own ways, the majority of his signings have failed to live up to expectations. Injuries, poor performances, and questionable scouting have led to a situation where Rangers are still heavily reliant on players signed before Beale’s tenure.
Had they spent their money more wisely—perhaps bringing in a player like Krstovic instead of Lammers—their squad might look very different today. Instead, Rangers are left with a squad where only two of Beale’s eight permanent signings can be seen as anything close to a success.