Ryan Jack has signed a one-year extension to his Rangers contract as Michael Beale’s preparations for next season get under way.
The Scotland international served a timely reminder against Celtic that he is still an important figure in the Gers gaffer’s squad and deserves to be rewarded.
By the end of the season, Ryan Jack will have made 35 appearances this season and has been fit for more, as a player who isn’t one of the club’s top earners it makes a lot of sense to keep him around and the announcement on the Rangers website is a welcome one.
The 31-year old offers a protection and cover that nobody else in Michael Beale’s midfield does to the same level and his minutes should be managed for the big occasions next season.
His homegrown status also makes him a sensible player to retain.
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What this announcement does though is put several regular Rangers players’ futures at risk.
How does Ryan Jack’s contract extension affect the Rangers squad?
It’s no secret that Kieran Dowell is all but confirmed as moving to Ibrox with Jose Cifuentes also being heavily tipped to put pen to paper.
Two extra midfielders added to the winter signings of Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin does not make for the more streamlined squad that the manager is looking for.
The expiring contracts of veterans Steven Davis and Scott Arfield should be allowed to expire, thank them for their service and move them on to pastures new.
The more difficult job will be selling Glen Kamara and John Lundstram.
It’s easy, as a fan, to say “just get rid” but the pair, realistically are still valuable assets for the club and could make serious money.
Lundstram’s return to form is a timely reminder of what he can do which will help whoever is in charge of player sales.
Kamara’s international reputation should be his biggest selling point and a couple of good performances in the next break at the end of the season would be a massive benefit in setting his price tag.
A total of £61,000 per week, according to Salary Sport, could be saved off the wage bill if the summer goes the way that the manager wants it to.
If Michael Beale is serious about having a more streamlined squad, retaining the services of those who have continuously let us down over the last two seasons can’t be an option.