It’s been a busy summer at Ibrox with Michael Beale embarking on a significant squad rebuild. 

Could it be that his somewhat unheralded first signing of the window proves to be inspired business? 

Kieran Dowell’s arrival didn’t spark much fanfare, but early pointers suggest that it will likely be looked back upon as a shrewd acquisition. 

Dowell might not represent the glamour signing that many supporters crave but possesses a good pedigree and arrives at an optimum age. The 25-year-old has solid experience having amassed almost 150 senior appearances, now entering his peak years. 

Dowell has played in European competition with Everton and the English Premier League with Norwich, while he was regularly involved with England at youth levels, including 17 caps for the Under-21s. 

Parallels can be drawn to Todd Cantwell’s career and the hope will be that Dowell can thrive at Ibrox in a similar vein.

A move to Scotland represents a fresh challenge and it could be the catalyst for the talented midfielder fulfilling his potential. The Rangers Review understands that Dowell has impressed in training and fitted in seamlessly with the group - helped by his existing friendship with Cantwell, John Lundstram and Tom Lawrence. 

As with every signing this summer, Michael Beale was pivotal in convincing Dowell to move to Glasgow. The midfielder also fits two profiles that the manager was actively seeking; given he is a hybrid player and also left-footed. 

Beale has placed an onus on recruiting players capable of performing different roles to allow fluid interchanging in-game and providing cover across the squad. Something Dowell himself highlighted when speaking to the media about his move. 

“I’m a creative player. I can play as a No.8, No.10, deeper or wide on the right. There are several positions where I can fit in and the manager can adapt to the game." he said. 

"There are plenty of opportunities for me but there are a lot of talented players in the group and that’s healthy. I like to play forward, take risks on the ball, take a pop at goal and try to slide someone through. I like to try and create goals for the team.”

The expectation is that Beale will deploy a 4-3-1-2 formation this season, as favoured towards the end of the last campaign. While Dowell can play as the No.10 behind two central strikers, Cantwell and Sam Lammers are firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, with Lawrence also nearing a return to fitness. That's before Ianis Hagi and Alex Lowry enter the discussion. 

READ MORE: Rangers' new formation and how it impacts summer business 

Therefore, it’s more likely that Dowell will be utilised deeper in the midfield. While there’s an increasing demand for Rangers to deploy one sitting midfielder against weaker opposition next season, Beale normally opts for two controlling players to enable high full-backs. 

Nico Raskin is a supreme talent and he will be guaranteed a starting spot next season, leaving Dowell to compete with John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Cantwell - if Lammers is deployed as a No.10 - for the other two starting spots in midfield. 

Glen Kamara will leave Ibrox if the right offer arrives this summer, while Jose Cifuentes remains a key target who can provide further competition.

A strong squad will be paramount if Rangers are to enjoy a successful season and Beale will have to rotate his options amongst European and domestic fixtures. In Dowell, he has an individual with serious aspirations of nailing down a starting place and that can only be a good thing. Competition drives standards. 

The demands at Rangers will be unlike anything the Englishman has experienced in his career so far, but rather than being overwhelmed by expectation, Dowell is relishing that challenge. 

“That’s the job that we are in,” Dowell said on dealing with the pressure. “If you don’t embrace it then you will fall by the wayside. Unless you embrace it then you shouldn’t be in the game. 

“This is one of the pinnacles of that intensity and I’ve seen that from the fans. I saw that in the last home game of the season with the reception they gave the lads that were leaving. There was nothing really on the game but the reception they gave the lads was unbelievable. 

On the target of winning the title, Dowell added: “That’s what I came here to do and that’s the ambition of the manager too. It’s plain to see the amount of business that we’ve done so far and the competition for places. It’s only going to stand us in good stead and that’s the aim of everyone at the club.” 

This signing has somewhat slipped under the radar in comparison to others, but Dowell is here for a reason. Beale's banking on his success. 

Don't be surprised if this quiet arrival makes a loud impact.