Kenny Miller says Rangers don’t need a complete summer rebuild for cup success

Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller claims his former club just need a refresh rather than a full summer rebuild following their Viaplay Cup final loss to Celtic.

A cloud of negativity currently envelopes Rangers following Sunday’s defeat after which skipper James Tavernier apologised to the fans for the performance.

A Kyogo Furuhashi double rendered Alfredo Morelos’ goal a consolation in a deserved 2-1 win for Ange Postecoglou’s side, who handed Michael Beale a first loss in 15 games since becoming Gers boss.

However, Miller, who had three spells at Ibrox and is these days a pundit, insists it is a refresh rather than a rebuild that is required at the Govan club.

He said: ‘A rebuild is way too strong. Rangers have a good squad. They have got a lot of strength in depth. If you look at their bench yesterday and you see Kemar Roofe sitting in the stand as well, they’re strong.

‘Michael has a good squad at his disposal. He will look to put his own stamp on it and he has already started that with the two additions in January (Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin), he will definitely do it again.

‘I imagine three or four at least will come in the summer and people will move out.

‘He has talked about having too many players there. So, not a rebuild, there will just be maybe a refresh in the summer.’

Miller also described the Scottish Cup as ‘paramount’ now for the Ibrox club.

Celtic have a nine-point lead over the Light Blues at the top of the Premiership and Miller, who played for both Old Firm clubs, believes the pressure is on Rangers to retain the Scottish Cup, in which they have a home quarter-final tie against Raith Rovers next month.

The former Scotland striker told Sky Sports Scotland: ‘There’s a Scottish Cup to win. That’s the thing for Rangers. They have lost that cup final and it’s Michael’s first defeat since he came in.

‘The league was already done, so all focus has to go on getting right back on it on Saturday against Kilmarnock.

‘Get back on an unbeaten run and build towards the Scottish Cup, as I think that becomes paramount.

‘Cup finals are important. It is a chance to win a trophy but I had the feeling that maybe Rangers would have wanted it that little bit more for that exact reason.

‘Going into the final third of the season I don’t think that Rangers fans will accept not winning trophies any more, as each season passes.

‘So this Scottish Cup is so important that Rangers, firstly, get to the final and then retain it.’

MORE : Rangers fans are increasingly frustrated by lack of trophies over the past decade

MORE : Boss Michael Beale admits Rangers’ title hopes are ‘low’

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