Rangers' summer business is about to reach its crucial stages.

Two key moves look are about to be imminently completed and these represent huge signings for the manager as we look to complete our work, with perhaps one or two to come depending on various factors.

On paper, when both Danilo and Jose Cifuentes arrive, it’s a nine out of ten summer. I’d go ten if a left-sided centre-back was to arrive. But as we all know, nothing is decided on before the action starts.

I’ve long since said that the acquisitions of Butland, Dowell, Sterling, Balogun and Sima on loan are not where Michael Beale will be judged. Those are low-budget deals, sure they aren’t coming for free, but the market is there if they don’t settle.

The true judgements will come over the £15m output for Danilo, Dessers, Lammers and Cifuentes. That’s where Beale will feel pressure because they simply have to perform. They need goals, they need numbers and they need to be successful - otherwise, criticism will follow.

It was several failed transfer windows that cost Ross Wilson the confidence of fans and make no mistake, Beale will now come under the exact same level of scrutiny in the weeks and months ahead.

But I remain confident he knows exactly what he is doing and has an eye for a player. That confidence has remained throughout the summer and I won't change my view now.

What we absolutely must do is try our level best to be patient.

We wanted a revamp, we wanted a refresh - well now it’s here we must embrace it and give it the time to come together it needs. It will take a spell to do so and players need time to acclimatise to our game, this country and our philosophies.

Pre-season has been bumpy and it would be naive to think otherwise, but it’s worth noting the context in that. That volume of change doesn't knit together with a click of fingers - hard work and time is required. Players are playing for their futures, performances are perhaps a bit forced or over-eager. All that will settle down.

Then there is the other factor, the players are currently going through one of the toughest pre-seasons they have ever encountered. We know this because of words direct from Ianis Hagi’s post-match after defeat to Olympiacos.

The players are being primed for a long season of fitness and those issues of the past are to be eradicated. There were times last season the players looked off the pace physically, that won't be allowed to happen this term. So it’s no surprise they look leggy but that will begin to normalise now.

The performance against the Greeks wasn’t great, in fact, it was outright poor and you can’t polish the result or make excuses for it either. Last summer at this point we tanked West Ham 3-1 scoring some unbelievable goals. It's important to remember that Rabbi Matondo looked like prime Brian Laudrup reincarnated. So for context, pre-season doesn’t tell us everything - it is mainly about fitness.

That’s no excuse for a dreadful night but context is important.

The only true concern for Rangers is beating Kilmarnock in just over a week and getting ready for European qualifiers which could have huge consequences for any dream of World Club cup participation.

It’s been a positive summer on the face of it, but as above and previously mentioned, football isn’t won on paper! Rangers have to do their talking on the pitch and no one can say Michael Beale hasn’t been backed to the fullest. Now he must get it right.

I’ve every confidence in him.