Speculation surrounding a pair of long-serving Rangers players has hogged many a column inch in recent months.
But amid plenty of questions, some answers could finally be on their way.
When asked about the prospect of snapping up the Rangers duo – both of whom are out of contract in July and likely to depart after nearly 400 combined appearances for the Scottish Premiership giants – Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan was reluctant to confirm or deny whether there is any truth to the rumours hounding Borna Barisic and John Lundstram.
But with Trabzonspor looking to step up their plans for next season ‘in the coming days’, we may be only 24, 48 or 72 hours away from finding out what the immediate future holds for two of Philippe Clement’s most experienced campaigners.
Will Barisic and Lundstram both leave Rangers?
“It would not be right for me to confirm names here. Some (of the rumours) are right, some names are wrong,” says Dogan.
“But with regard to the names mentioned, I can only say we are working in coordination with the manager, Abdullah Avci. We plan to complete most of the transfers for the new season in the coming days.
“The aim is to start the season with a ready-made squad that the entire technical team has approved for the pre-season camp.
“Therefore, we are progressing that aspect of the work quickly with our manager and his team. We’ve done the hard part. Our aim is to give good news to the community of Trabzonspor supporters very soon.”
A busy summer ahead for Philippe Clement
While their destinations is yet to be confirmed, Barisic and Lundstram will depart with the respect of most Rangers supporters. The former’s contributions over the last six years – a major part of that title-winning season under Steven Gerrard and a constant source of creativity from the left-back spot – will not be forgotten in a hurry, even if his powers have been on the wane for a while now.
Lundstram, meanwhile, was a driving force behind that run to the final of the Europa League in 2022, a midfield colossus in those famous wins over Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
Rangers, then, will be in the market for reinforcements at both left-back and in midfield. Ben Johnson, the West Ham contract rebel, held talks but looks destined to join Crystal Palace instead.
One player who has been recommended to Clement is Owen Dodgson, the Burnley-owned full-back who has impressed on loan at Dundee.
“I like the left-back, Dodgson,” former Dens Park forward Tam McManus tells PLZ Soccer. “He’s been excellent. I think Celtic and Rangers should be looking at him.
“The two games I’ve seen him, against both Celtic and Rangers, I thought he was really really good.”
