This time last year, Rangers fans were excited about a summer refresh and seeing new and improved players through the door but it will be left to Philippe Clement to pick up the pieces this year.
Throughout the team, changes will be made and, on top of those that will leave at the end of their contracts, those collecting big wages and not contributing will also be moved on.
It should have been a window where one or two changes are needed, instead, Rangers will need to give Philippe Clement all the help he can get to get his squad in shape – this is who could be heading out the door.
Who Rangers could move on in Philippe Clement summer cull
Going by position order, it doesn’t look like the Gers boss will be getting much of a holiday.
Defence
Jon McLaughlin – a more than able deputy during the title winning season and a Scottish Cup winner in his own right, he should be thanked for his efforts as his contract ends, plenty of SPFL teams could do a lot worse.
Robby McCrorie – much of the academy product’s future will depend on the player himself and whether or not he will be happy to remain as a back-up.
Borna Barisic – the Croatian international has been a good signing for the £2m that was spent but his time was up with the fans from the moment he allowed Liel Abada a free run at the back post at Parkhead, a move to Turkey is said to be already agreed.
Leon Balogun – he was initially preferred when Philippe Clement arrived at Rangers, however, given the manager’s preference for younger and more robust players, there is little chance of a 36-year old being signed.
Ben Davies – on a reported £27,000 per week, he should be starting all the time, instead, he is sitting in the stands. If we can get anything over £2m for the centre-half then we will be doing well, but his reputation in England should still see a decent fee raised.
Midfield
Jose Cifuentes – already out on loan at Cruizeiro with an option to buy of around £2.5m, if he does well Clement will have extra money for the winter window. At least he is off the wage bill.
Kieran Dowell – why did we sign him in the first place? He’s a neat and tidy player but we simply didn’t need him. The only bonus is that he came in on a Bosman.
Ryan Jack – if only Cedric Kipre hadn’t two footed him in 2017 he might have been Rangers captain by now. On his day he was immense and dominated European midfields alongside John Lundstram but we all know why he shouldn’t get a new deal.
Forwards
Sam Lammers – it looks as though Utrecht are keen to do a deal, he has impressed on loan and the player is happy playing games and scoring goals, a reported £2.5m would be a welcome addition to the funds.
Kemar Roofe – like Jack, there has never been any question marks about his ability as a player, however, when they spend more time in the treatment room than on the pitch, it’s time to let them go. Roofe has been at that stage for two years now.
It’s a long list but, bizarelly, it’s not really one that is up for much debate.
I’d like to think that most Rangers fans would agree with who is on it too.
Not all of them need to be replaced either.
Academy players like Leon King and Alex Lowry need to be given more minutes, both of them have shown in the past that they can be trusted and, with a manager like Philippe Clement, they could yet have a future at Rangers.
He will be given money to spend but, if he can get even more in, it will only be a good thing with players like Oscar Cortes and Danilo improving the quality of the squad when they are fit again.
After seeing the quality and the profile of the signings in January, Rangers fans have every right to be excited this time around – the same mistakes won’t be made again.
