Philippe Clement has a big job on his hands trying to establish a Rangers squad capable of challenging on three fronts in 2025.
Rangers might be within 13 points of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race, but the Ibrox manager will not be giving up the fight on league duties until all is said and done.
With the Scottish Cup now in must-win territory for Rangers, the Ibrox side have also been a surprise package in the Europa League this season.
The Rangers boss has been clear that transfer funds are tight as Rangers wrestle with injuries and try to boost several areas of the squad.
There are also a number of players who have already left the club in search of minutes with more expected to follow.
Philippe Clement could ‘regret’ letting Rangers star leave
Whilst the likes of Cyriel Dessers have dominated the first-team transfer exit reporting, Rangers have already moved on two youngsters this January.
At least on a temporary basis.
Rangers left-back Robbie Fraser was handed his opportunity by Philippe Clement and has been involved this season.
But Fraser will now spend the rest of the season on loan at Livingston as they try to earn promotion back to the Scottish Premiership.
Ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee, Philippe Clement has been speaking about Robbie Fraser’s short-term exit and why it’s the best thing for the 21-year-old defender.
Even if the Rangers manager might live to regret the decision later in the campaign, with the Gers hamstrung by homegrown Europa League squad restrictions.
“Things to be discussed this week also about the squad and which people make the next step in their evolution in the club,” Clement told the press.
”In that way Robbie Fraser went on loan for him to develop himself.
”We could’ve kept him and to be egoistic in that way because you have a European list where you need to have an amount of Scottish players also.
”So it was easy to say no, Robbie stays, because he played several minutes and did good things for the team even in different positions.
”He’s someone with the right mentality giving everything for the club.
”But in the next six months with Ridvan and Jefte playing in the way they are playing it would be difficult for him to get enough minutes to develop further.
”So that’s why we made the decision also that he could go on loan although maybe one moment I am going to regret it along the way.
”But on the long term it’s the best decision.”
Second Rangers academy star leaves on loan
Robbie Fraser isn’t the only Rangers academy talent being farmed out on loan this January either.
Scotland youth international midfielder Cole McKinnon is another who has been afforded opportunities by Philippe Clement but who has struggled for consistent first-team exposure.
As a result, Rangers have let ex-Celtic captain Scott Brown take McKinnon on loan at Ayr United for the remainder of the season.
In a short statement on X, Rangers said:
”We can today confirm Cole McKinnon has joined Ayr United on loan for the remainder of the season.
“Everyone at the club wishes Cole well during his loan spell.”
