Glasgow Rangers are heading in the right direction under manager Michael Beale, recording four straight victories since the resumption of the Premiership season two weeks ago.

The big test will come on Monday, with Celtic the visitors to Ibrox for the second Old Firm derby of the season and the supporters will get a greater look at exactly where the team is at following the match.

The January transfer window is just around the corner and it’s clear that Beale will be adding in a couple of new signings to almost reinvigorate the squad after a poor opening half of the season.

With the Ibrox side seemingly interested in Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, the 42-year-old might be ready to add some homegrown talent to the squad.

Ideal Connor Goldson heir

With Connor Goldson’s contract coming to an end near the end of last season, the Ibrox faithful were resigned to losing their rock for nothing, especially since there had been no mention of any extension.

However, the Englishman eventually signed an extended four-year deal and has continued to form a key part of the Light Blues defence.

Overall, he has played 243 matches for the club in four and a half years and although he still has a few years left, sooner rather than later, thoughts will need to turn to who can become his heir.

Porteous is only 23 and despite being sent off four times already in his senior career, the defender has plenty of potential which means he could star for a team like Rangers in the near future.

The Hibs star has an average rating of 7.26 via Sofascore for his Premiership performances this season, making 1.5 tackles, 3.4 clearances, and 0.9 interceptions per match while winning 6.7 duels per match – at a success rate of 66%.

His forward-thinking qualities would also be a bonus for Beale, as the 23-year-old has scored three times this season (more than all the Rangers centre-backs combined), taken 1.7 shots per match, created two big chances, and makes 1.2 key passes on average each game.

These statistics are highly impressive for a defender. Porteous has clearly impressed his manager Lee Johnson, as he claimed his player performs with “fire in his belly” and this is the sort of attitude that Rangers have been missing recently.

The defender won’t be signing an extension to his contract at the Edinburgh side and this leaves Beale free to make an approach in January and he could eventually become the ideal heir to Goldson.