Rangers striker Kemar Roofe admits that if it was up to him, then he’d be extending his contract to remain at Ibrox.
The 31-year-old hitman is currently in the final few months of a four-year Rangers deal which was signed when the striker joined the club from Anderlecht back in 2020.
Claiming that a new Ibrox contract is out of his hands, Kemar Roofe said “you’d need to ask the gaffer and people in control of the contracts” whether or not he’s going to get one.
But forking out a non-unsubstantial £4.5m to sign Kemar Roofe, Rangers have only ever had inconsistent flashes of this intelligent, ruthless striker in the club’s famous blue shirt.
A string of serious injury problems have led to serious doubts that a new contract will be awarded and here we weigh up the pros and cons of Kemar Roofe signing a new contract.
New Kemar Roofe Rangers contract – pros
Retaining a natural goalscorer with a lethal instinct
The thing is, if Kemar Roofe is fit and firing he is unarguably the best striker Rangers have at the club. The former Leeds United man is silent assassin in front of goal and his finishing touch has been sorely missed for a long time in Glasgow. Averaging a goal around every 125 minutes at Ibrox, the return of only 38 strikes in four seasons tells its own story.
An experienced head with a point to prove
At 31 years of age, Kemar Roofe is one of the most senior and experienced members of the first-team squad. Having just spent the last four years in Scotland, the striker is also well-versed in exactly what it means to play for Rangers, and win for Rangers. Beyond that, with the last three seasons blighted by serious injury problems, you’ve got think a fully fit Kemar Roofe has a point to prove in Glasgow.
Rangers finally getting value for money
There’s a big debate to be had about whether or not the £4.5m paid for Kemar Roofe was an effective use of money. The top league scorer in the 55-winning title campaign, there’s an argument that the Roofe proved his worth right then. There have also been some almighty goals but for every Braga, Betis, or Aberdeen strike, Roofe’s been missing for Europa League Finals, Old Firms, and everything in between. For the fee paid, and for Roofe’s talent, everyone expected bigger returns and maybe a new deal would allow the forward to repay the club for their support during his spate of injuries.
New Kemar Roofe Rangers contract – cons
Injuries remains a blight on Roofe’s Rangers credentials
Over the years Rangers fans have grown quite reluctant when it comes to Kemar Roofe and are very much once bitten, twice shy when it comes to stories about his resurgence. Far too often has Kemar come back from injury problems to then be almost immediately sidelined with the information on the issues scarce and fans disillusioned. Kemar Roofe has between now and the end of the season to prove his fitness but – even if he goes on sign a contract – there’s a massive risk he breaks down again.
One of Rangers’ highest-earners
If Rangers are to sign a new deal with Kemar Roofe, then, unlike in the case of John Lundstram, he’ll struggle to convince Ibrox bosses of a similar wage structure. Rangers haven’t got the necessary bang for their buck when it comes to the hitman and if we’re to negotiate a high-earning deal only for disaster to strike then we’ll live to regret it. Money isn’t completely forthcoming at Rangers and as the club move to an improved player trading model, sanctioning a deal for a player with Roofe’s injury record looks reckless.
Rangers could miss fresh striker chance
If Kemar Roofe is to sign another deal, then Rangers would have Cyriel Dessers, Danilo, and the Jamaican international striker available as our front three options next season. With the likes of Lawrence Shankland strongly linked, any move to retain Kemar Roofe surely limits the opportunities in the squad. It would likely lead to Rangers spreading their resources elsewhere and perhaps a fresh start is what is best for everyone. Rangers move elsewhere whilst Roofe finds a new club. Sod’s Law dictates that if Kemar Roofe leaves he will thrive elsewhere, but by the same token if he stays the risks are sizeable.
