Hateley outlines the Rangers wheeling and dealing Caixinha must do to sort out Warburton mess
By Harry Sykes
Rangers icon Mark Hateley has insisted in the Daily Record that the club are preparing for the most important transfer window in their history as they look to narrow the gap on Celtic.
The Ibrox club have endured a difficult season in which they have been left a mammoth 36 points adrift of six-in-a-row champions Celtic, who are also one cup final win short of securing a famous treble.
Former striker Hateley is convinced that Pedro Caixinha should be given time to get it right as well as being backed in the transfer window to recruit quality additions who could make Rangers mount a more competitive challenge.
“This is going to one of the most important transfer windows in Rangers’ history but I still think Pedro will need three of them to really build what he wants to build at Ibrox,” said Hateley to the Daily Record.
“He will no doubt utilise the many contacts he has in Europe and beyond. But if you rush in and maybe make some panic buys so often you get things wrong.
“So I think he will also need the January window and summer next year before he has what he wants.
“I think he has had enough time to assess the squad and I’m sure the bulk of the players will be aware of whether they are wanted next season or not.”
Hateley was dismissive of the recruitment of former manager Mark Warburton as well as his approach to matches.
Warburton, who is now in charge at Nottingham Forest, oversaw a massive overhaul last summer following the club’s promotion, but most of the signings have not worked out.
“Warburton’s recruitment was a failure,” Hateley added in the Daily Record. “Without naming names, we could all see there were players brought in who simply could not fit in at Rangers.
“Warburton also only had one plan and as a coach you need have Plan A, B, C and D when you go into a match.”
Former England striker Hateley is warmly regarded by Rangers fans after being an integral player for the club during one of the golden eras in their history.
n other Rangers transfer news, Caixinha has made emphatic decisions on four players ahead of the summer window.
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