Connor Goldson has admitted that Rangers are training to use a back three system at some point this season, revealing it is “very different” to what he’s used to.

This season the club have used a back four almost exclusively, with Goldson partnering alongside Ben Davies for the most part for a strong defensive season domestically.

But after the signing of John Souttar, who has now returned to fitness after a prolonged period of time out, plus the emergence of Leon King as a first-team option, it now seems that Michael Beale is looking at changing things up in the future at some point.

“We’ve been working on it,” he said during his press conference on Friday (31 March), as quoted by journalist Martyn Ramsay.

“It is a very different system but confident that if and when it’s needed in the next few weeks it will look as if it’s very natural.”

Interesting

It’s something that Rangers fans have called for in recent times, and that is more tactical flexibility in the team since the departure of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The Dutch coach was able to successfully implement a back-five at times during his tenure at the club, which helped the club make it through to the Europa League final.

But since Beale has come in we’ve seen a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 system exclusively and sometimes it has left a little to be desired, despite the excellent record of results since he came in barring clashes against Celtic.

With two Old Firm derbies to come this month, it’s clear that Beale is looking for an alternative to combat their attacking quality, and it could be that putting an extra defender on the pitch and getting his forwards closer together is the answer.

It will be interesting to see if he can implement properly in the coming weeks and months, but also if it’s needed to use it or if we can play our usual way and get the results we want.

In other Rangers news, “days are numbered” for one Ibrox star as he approaches the final 12 months of his deal.

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Michael Beale has shared that the big decisions about the playing squad at Rangers have already been made internally, but won’t be revealed until the time is right.

The Gers are set to have a very busy summer window with the manager admitting he is hopeful of bringing in at least five first-team players for next season, while several players are out of contract including Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.

But while speculation is rife about if those two, plus the likes of Ryan Jack, will sign new terms at Ibrox to stay beyond this season, Beale says the club have already made those decisions and admitted that he is anticipating a good budget to work with for the summer.

“We are very aligned and I have a strong relationship with Ross (Wilson),” he said during his press conference (31 March).

“We are clear on our decisions and will select the correct moment to communicate this.

“We have money to spend and I’m really positive about the summer and the future.”

Clarity

Obviously as fans we all want to know what is going to be happening at the club going into next season, especially when it comes to key players in the squad.

But if we’re all being honest with ourselves, the most important thing is that the club know what is going on behind the scenes because it means they will be able to make plans to deal with it.

Beale clearly knows what he wants for the squad going forward, but moreso than that and arguably more importantly, is that he knows what he doesn’t want.

The club will be making plans for the summer already, knowing the league title is all but gone at this point and they must overcome a cup semi-final with Celtic to head into May with something still to play for.

Now things are already underway and decisions have been made, surely we will start to hear things in the public domain sooner or later too.

In other Rangers news, duo ruled out of SPFL clash v Dundee United through injury.

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Michael Beale is set to be forced into at least one change in his Rangers starting lineup for their SPFL clash with Dundee United on Saturday (1 April).

The Gers claimed a 4-2 win over Motherwell in their last outing before the international break, ensuring the gap between themselves and Celtic remained at nine points.

But after the two-week break Beale has been dealt with an injury blow plus others coming back from health problems to give him some big decisions to make for the first game back.

Allan McGregor is set to make his 500th appearance for the club between the sticks, having established himself as the number one at the club after early rotation with Jon McLaughlin.

Beale’s first-choice back four is obvious now too and is likely to stay in tact. James Tavernier and Borna Barisic will start at full-back, although Ridvan Yilmaz performed well last time out and he remains available for this game on the left.

At centre-back Connor Goldson and Ben Davies have formed a good partnership, but summer signing John Souttar is now fit again after long-running injury issues and will be pushing them both hard for their spot.

Nicolas Raskin has been ruled out with a minor thigh injury, but Ryan Jack is fit after representing Scotland and should partner alongside John Lundstram who is battling for his future at the club as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his deal at Ibrox.

Further forward Fashion Sakala shone on international duty once again for Zambia and his form since Beale’s arrival at the club has made him almost undroppable.

Todd Cantwell has also secured himself a regular starting role behind the striker, but playing as a more advanced midfielder and he should start once again.

With Ryan Kent also seemingly undroppable under Beale too, that leaves Malik Tillman looking in from the bench despite his goal from the bench prior to the international break.

Up front Antonio Colak has wrestled his starting spot back from Alfredo Morelos and is in good form coming into this game, so will be confident of adding more goals to his season tally.

In other Rangers news, duo ruled out of SPFL clash v Dundee United with injury problems.

This article was originally posted here