Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson believes Glen Kamara and John Lundstrom must be sold this summer if the Ibrox outfit do not plan to offer the midfield duo new contracts.
Only time will tell how much Rangers have learned from the mistakes of the past.
This summer alone, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Allan McGregor, Filip Helander, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield will all leave on free transfers. If the Gers had sold some of their longest-serving players when they had the chance, Mick Beale may currently have a further £30 million burning a hole in his back pocket.
Beale has already confirmed that Morelos will depart, while Kent is yet to be offered fresh terms either.
And Ibrox legend Ferguson hopes that lessons have been learned, telling the Daily Record that Rangers simply ‘cannot afford’ a repeat scenario, especially given that their financial model relies heavily upon selling key players for a profit.
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“Rangers can’t afford to get into the situation they’ve faced with Kent and Morelos, who will walk out the door for nothing,” Ferguson explains.
Lundstram will be a free-agent in 2024. Kamara, meanwhile, has just two years left on his deal.
“If they want to keep them (Kamara and Lundstram), offer them a new deal. And if they hum and haw over it, they need to be sold. All that will be resolved in the coming weeks.”
Beale, last week, admitted that Rangers are facing up to their ‘biggest rebuild in a number of years’. In addition to Kent, Morelos, McGregor and co, Antonio Colak, Scott Wright, Jon McLaughlin and Bayern Munich loanee Malik Tillmam could also head for the exit door.
There are doubts, too, around the futures of Rabbi Matondo, Ridvan Yilmaz and Ianis Hagi.
On the upside, Rangers do appear to be making progress in pursuit of a few new faces. Dujon Sterling is on his way from Premier League giants Chelsea. Kieran Dowell of Norwich City and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland should also be plying their trade at Ibrox in 2023/24.