Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson believes now may be the right time for Mick Beale to move on from Scott Wright even if the winger’s Ibrox contract still has a further two years to run.
With Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Allan McGregor, Filip Helander, Steven Davis and Allan McGregor all due to become free-agents on July 1st, Beale could be forgiven if he opts to retain the majority of those still under contract ahead of what is likely to be a transitional season at Rangers.
Even if the Gers do appear to be making good progress on the transfer front – in talks with Jose Cifuentes, Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and co – so many departures in such a short space of time threatens to leave Beale’s squad looking rather threadbare.
Ferguson, however, believes that the simple fact that Wright is under contract until 2025 should not be enough to earn him another 12 months on the blue side of Glasgow.
Does Scott Wright need to leave Rangers this summer?
“Although I like what he brings, he’s struggled to get games,” Ferguson tells the Daily Record. “And it’s unlikely to get any easier for him when Beale brings in his new recruits. It’s probably best for both parties if Wright moves on to somewhere he’ll play 30 games a season.”
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The former Aberdeen speedster has started only five Premiership games in 2022/23. He hasn’t scored a single goal, meanwhile, since finding the net against Hearts in last year’s Scottish Cup final.
Ferguson, meanwhile, is hoping to see Rangers avoid a repeat of past mistakes.
The likes of Borna Barisic and John Lundstram, he argues, should be sold before they too become free-agents.
“Only James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack are certain to be part of the manager’s plans for the new campaign. Allan McGregor’s incredible career is almost certainly over. Borna Barisic is entering the final year of his contract,” Ferguson argues.
“And if Rangers have learned anything from the Ryan Kent fiasco, it’s that they can’t afford to let any more of the best players leave as free agents.
“So, if Barisic doesn’t sign a new deal, he’ll be moving on too.”
Ridvan Yilmaz, the £3.4 million signing from Besiktas, produced arguably his finest Rangers display in Barisic’s asbence during Saturday’s 3-0 Old Firm victory over Celtic. Even if his end product clearly needs some work.
“(Yilmaz’s) performance suggests the young Turk is more than ready to fill (Barisic’s) boots. John Lundstram is in the same boat,” Ferguson adds.
“Sign a new deal or off you pop as well.”