Philippe Clement isn’t happy with the situation he inherited at Rangers, it has left him with a lot of work to do and with one hand tied behind his back.
The squad when he arrived at Ibrox was imbalanced and with six players who had contracts set to expire.
Of those, five have now been announced as leaving and these are their highlights for Rangers during their respective times at the club with more than a couple of spectacular moments.
Rangers moments to remember for five released players
It says a lot that in the last two summers, 10 players have left a squad that won a league title and reached a European final and that fans are almost glad to see the back of some of them.
At one point in their careers though, they have all made notable contributions to Rangers.
Jon McLaughlin
Starting with Jon McLaughlin, a player who many probably forgot was still checking into Auchenhowie every day this season.
In his first season, he registered 12 clean sheets in 14 games and after keeping six clean sheets on his way to a Scottish record had the highest save percentage compared to his expected save percentage.
When Giovanni van Bronckhorst started the following season with McLaughlin as number one, it raised a few eyebrows, looking at his numbers, it really shouldn’t have.
Allan McGregor was clearly showing signs of decline with mistakes against Hearts, Ross County and Motherwell that ultimately cost Rangers the league title.
Other than clinching the clean sheet record, McLaughlin’s penalty save against Dundee that kept Rangers six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership was one to be proud of – at the time, it was a massive save.
What happened after the new year is best forgotten.
Borna Barisic
Borna Barisic impressed playing against Rangers with his all-action and rampaging style, unfortunately, we didn’t see it often enough in the famous Light Blue shirt.
After initially struggling to see off Jon Flanagan and Andy Halliday, the Croatia international found his feet with this screamer against St Mirren to secure all three points.
He would then go on a run in his next 12 games where he scored another two goals, produced five assists and collected two man of the match awards in Europe.
At his best, he looked every bit the regular of one of the continent’s best international teams.
Sadly, his worst was infuriating.
John Lundstram
John Lundstram arrived in something of a coup given that Premier League clubs were looking to secure his signature.
He had impressed in Sheffield United’s first season back in the top flight only to fall out of favour the following year due to a contract dispute.
Europa League John was almost unstoppable and he was consistently Rangers best player against teams like Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
Domestically though, he has always seemed like a square peg in a round hole and not the sort of midfielder needed to break low block teams who like to counter attack.
As time fades, his goal that saw Rangers progress to the Europa League final will be remembered as fondly as any scored at Ibrox.
His parter in midfield on many of those occasions was Ryan Jack.
Ryan Jack
The one player who has left between the last two summers who you would struggle to find someone question what he brought to the team.
We all know why he hasn’t been offered a new contract though.
A fit Ryan Jack would start every week for Philippe Clement.
His first goal for the club he supports will probably be his favourite, however, his goal against Hearts in the 2021/22 Scottish Cup final will be hard to beat for quality and what it meant.
Kemar Roofe
Kemar Roofe, like Jack, is the other ‘what if’ player.
The only season that he nearly managed to play 40 games, he ended as top goalscorer and Rangers won the league.
There is no doubt that had he been available for 40 games every season, that things could have been a lot different when adding up the trophy count.
Clement needs to find that matchwinner again and will be hoping that Danilo can be that man.
Roofe has a highlight reel of goals, but there can be only one that sticks out.
It’s a footballing scandal that it never won the Puskas award due to how many players he beats, the playing conditions and then the quality of the strike.
The best goal ever scored by a Rangers player when you take away emotion and occasion.
Five senior players who all, on their day, were hugely important for Rangers.
Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement not only have to replace all of them, but they have to find better, if Rangers really are going to go to the next level.
