Rangers fans are gearing up for a summer evolution at Ibrox, but we’ve heard that story before amid domestic disappointment.
The Gers have opted to stick with their underperforming players for the last few seasons and post-55 it has cost the club big with Celtic reasserting their domestic dominance.
As this team look down the barrel of yet another Parkhead treble, if the bulk of them survive this summer, and Rangers don’t substantially invest in the team, we suspect the anger will boil over.
Rangers have – quite simply – slept over the last four windows and failed to re-energise a team which has time and again proved incapable of consistently toppling Celtic.
All faith in this squad from the stands is dissipating, and if the Rangers board and management have anything about them, then we suspect a ruthless summer is ahead.
We’ve counted up to 14 first team stars who could leave in the summer and that’s just for starters as Rangers are forced to go back to the drawing board and dream up something different.
Because what we have right now isn’t and hasn’t been working for a while.
The out of contract Rangers six
There are those players who are out of contract come the end of the season, with Rangers set to make a decision over several aging stars.
Allan McGregor looks destined for retirement, whilst Steven Davis’ devastating cruciate ligament injury will surely see him ruled out of a well-deserved Rangers send-off.
Ryan Jack – a constant sick note – is another there are doubts over, whilst Scott Arfield is another who isn’t having the same impact on the team. Both are homegrown players however, and will probably stick around.
Then there is Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent, two world-beaters who we’ve been drained of all enthusiasm for amid contract talk, a perceived lack of commitment and the constant distraction of their futures.
They either want to be here or they don’t, with plenty at Ibrox ready to just move on from the pair with both once again failing to deliver for the club when it really matters.
The trio of crocks
Filip Helander is another who we’re quite sure won’t be awarded a new deal, the big Swede another crock in a squad of them, with his injury problems taking us on to another group of players.
Kemar Roofe and John Souttar head up the names who are perennially injured and whilst the Scotland international centre-back hasn’t proved himself, Roofe’s absences continue to cost the club big.
Rangers got their fingers burnt dealing with Souttar, whose career has been defined by injury, whilst Roofe occupies an expensive and important part of the squad.
But if both are unavailable, then they are useless to us, and Rangers are really better moving on from those who are not contributing. It may be harsh, but we’ve been dealing with these constant injuries for years now.
Trio of underperformers
There are several in the Rangers squad who are not delivering for the side at present, but there’s been special criticism reserved for the likes of Glen Kamara and John Lundstram.
Both are senior and experienced players in the squad but both have lacked the necessary commitment, bite, focus and quality to be a Rangers player over the last 18 months or so.
The attitude of both players stank the place out at Hampden and there are plenty in the Rangers support who’ve made up their mind.
Glen Kamara hasn’t exactly been shy in touting his services elsewhere, with serious questions over why Rangers consistently stick with wantaway players.
John Lundstram, save for a run of games last season, has been an expensive and underwhelming signing who routinely does little but moan in the middle of the park.
It doesn’t help that the ex-Sheffield United man has been towing a caravan all season long.
Then there is Scott Wright, an inspiring if not tactically disciplined player who struggles to properly impact games from the bench and who many believe is quite simply not of the required Rangers standard.
Well, he’s done little to prove otherwise so far.
Expensive loan pair
Then there are the two USA internationals currently on loan at the club, who could cost a combined £10m if Rangers opt to sign one or either.
Whilst the consensus seems to be that Malik Tillman is worth the albeit substantial investment, it’s clear James Sands isn’t.
James Sands hasn’t done enough to impact the Rangers squad over the last 18 months whilst Malik Tillman will have better days than his one at Hampden.
But with so much overhauling to do in the summer, can the club really afford to spend such a substantial amount on one player who is already proving inconsistent?
Meanwhile, Michael Beale is a man under pressure after the Hampden showing.
