Ever since Michael Beale revealed an intention to play with a back three following the Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers, debate has raged as to whether it could work out for Rangers.

It’s a shape that was utilised at various points by Beale’s predecessor Giovanni van Bronckhorst, often during last season’s incredible Europa League run and occasional domestic games, when the Dutchman looked to close matches out.

On Saturday, Beale kept the back four intact but the return of John Souttar from injury has prompted a potential desire to alter his side's formation.

Speaking to Viaplay a week past Sunday, Beale said: “John Souttar is a player that I always wanted us to sign when I was here previously.

“He's such a good footballer, with his passing range... it's something that we are going to look at - playing with a back three.

"That requires John staying fit and maybe recruiting another one in that area.”

The former Hearts man came off the bench in the 4-2 win over Motherwell at the weekend but with just under a fortnight until Dundee United come to Ibrox, it gives Beale and the players plenty of time to finesse a potential change.

Some argue that playing an extra centre-half means you automatically become more defensive, offering less of an attacking force.

This doesn’t wash, let me explain why.

Firstly, let’s take Antonio Conte as an example. He guided Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan to six league titles combined by playing a 3-5-2, 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1.

During his Premier League winning season at Chelsea in 2016-17, the Italian reverted to a back three due to his team conceding too many goals. At the time he said in a club interview: "We started the season with another system because the idea in my mind was that I wanted to play with the 4-2-4, and then we switched with 4-3-3 and we played also in the same way like last year, 4-2-3-1.

"I noticed in some circumstances we didn't have the right balance because when you concede more goals than your opponent and even more chances to score a goal, it is never a good thing.

"For this reason, we switched to the new system of 3-4-3 and I think this is a good fit for our squad because also we have the strikers adapted for this system. I thought it would improve us offensively as well as defensively and we didn't lose our offensive situation.

"In this way, we have increased it because we scored many goals and created a lot of chances to score the goals and also if you maintain the clean sheet, I think this is the right way."

Now Rangers may not be blessed with a Marcos Alonso or a Cesar Azpilicueta but in Ben Davies and John Souttar, they possess two players who are comfortable on the ball, clean in possession and can break the lines with incisive passing.

The pair would provide a balance on either side of Connor Goldson and it would allow the two full-backs to push further up the pitch, safe in the knowledge they have dependable cover should there be a turnover in possession.

Of course, another centre-back means a player has to make way and the likelihood is one of the midfielders would drop out. Theoretically, someone like Nico Raskin would be positioned in front of the back three, charged with dictating the play and setting the tempo.

Some have questioned if it’s a formation that should be adopted against opposing teams who sit in a low block and the answer is still a resounding yes.

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Currently, Rangers often find it difficult to break teams down at Ibrox who set up camp. A back three can prove dynamic because Davies and Souttar will no doubt be given license to roam forward with the two full-backs becoming auxiliary wingers.

Whether Rangers will look to set up in a 3-4-3, 3-4-1-2, 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2, it's certainly encouraging to know Beale is exploring different shapes. It paid dividends last season, particularly against Borussia Dortmund when the half-time addition of Leon Balogun at Ibrox turned the game on its head. We also witnessed John Lundstram deployed as a makeshift centre-back in-game at points so it isn’t a formation that would be totally alien to the current group of players.

There is the small matter of keeping Davies and Souttar clear of injury, however. Easier said than done when it comes to a duo who’ve spent a lot of time on the treatment table. It’s therefore unsurprising to hear Beale suggest he will look to recruit another centre-back in the summer.

The proof will be in the pudding as to whether it’s a formation that will work going forward but Rangers have a tactically astute manager at the helm that isn't rigid when it comes to shape and that can only be seen as a positive.