Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale will be hoping to use the January transfer window to bring in a few new faces to Ibrox in order to build a team that is capable of fully challenging Celtic for the Premiership title.

Last week, the Englishman discussed the club's transfer business, saying: “We have spoken to two or three players.

"Our phone has not stopped. There is a lot of players interested in coming here. I have to make sure they are the right ones.”

Although no names were mentioned, it is positive news that the Gers are acting quickly, while former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson suggested that Beale will have his eyes on Lawrence Shankland this month.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (via the Daily Record) Ferguson discussed the 27-year-old:

"I think he's been a brilliant signing for Hearts. He's one that I'm sure Rangers will be keeping an eye on because goalscorers are hard to find. If [Alfredo] Morelos does go, you've got [Antonio] Colak and [Kemar] Roofe. Roofe for me is a really good player but there are injury concerns, so you need another striker.”

Roofe alternative

The ex-Rangers captain was spot on with his analysis of Roofe, a fantastic player but someone that spends far too much time on the treatment table.

Since joining in the summer of 2020, the 30-year-old has scored 34 goals in 75 matches for Rangers, a solid record considering that he has missed a total of 56 games for the club and his record could have been so much better.

With his injury issues, Beale will be keen on eyeing up an alternative and Shankland certainly fits the bill. His move back to Scotland with Hearts has been excellent and he has found his old goalscoring form again, after netting just five times for Belgian side Beerschot last season.

Indeed, this term he has already fired in 15 Premiership goals at a rate of one every 101 minutes, while taking 3.2 shots per match and even missing 11 big chances, proving that his goal tally may have been a great deal higher if his composure was slightly better.

During his whole senior career, he has beaten the goalkeeper 163 times with no player in Scotland finding the net more often this campaign than the Scot. His talents could be extremely useful for Beale should he bring the striker to Ibrox.

Joel Sked sang his praises, claiming Shankland to be “different class” just last month, and with Roofe’s injury problems combined with the fact that Alfredo Morelos could soon be leaving the club, bringing in another striker remains high on the list of priorities for Beale.