The incoming Rangers sporting director faces some big calls in his early tenure with the contracts of Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe about to enter their final year.
Outgoing Ibrox sporting director Ross Wilson faced extensive criticism from supporters for his management of the Gers squad, with several big players now set to leave for nothing.
Everton-linked Alfredo Morelos and reportedly Fenerbahce-bound Ryan Kent are two of Rangers’ highest-earners, but arguably also two of the club’s biggest assets.
While they will be removed from the wage bill, the club won’t recoup a penny and, as the Rangers contracts of Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe tick down, whoever takes up the mantle in the Ibrox boardroom has some big calls to make this summer.
Rangers director squad management scrutiny
There has been no real movement in the press regarding who might come in to replace Ross Wilson, with former Ibrox captain Craig Moore putting his name forward last week.
But the contract situation at the club has not helped the pressure on a disastrous season at Rangers, with the club’s supporters determined to not let this happen again.
Outgoing director Wilson tried to pass the situation off as healthy, but Rangers fans don’t want to see players at the club with the same lack of commitment displayed by some of the team this season.
With Allan McGregor, Filip Helander, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield also out of contract, it’s a summer of change ahead at Ibrox, and that uncertainty and instability has added to the sense of frustration around the club.
Rangers face big calls on Ibrox contracts
In Barisic, Lundstram and Roofe, Rangers have players on expensive contracts heading into their final year, something which presents big challenges.
If Rangers believe they are not getting value from some or all of the reported £66k per week spent on the trio (Barisic £18k, Lundstram £22k, Roofe £26k – courtesy of Salary Sport) then this summer is the only chance to recoup a transfer fee and free up the space on the wage bill ahead of a title tilt.
Should Rangers stick with these players heading into the final year of their deals, and back the almost £3.5million it will cost to keep them for the season, then they will have to deliver.
Barisic has had his most consistent season in years, but Ridvan Yilmaz could eventually cost £5m and was signed to play, Lundstram has been woefully inconsistent for the bulk of the season and Roofe, well Kemar Roofe is Kemar Roofe; consistently injured.
It’s a sizeable chunk of the wage bill being consumed by players who have not delivered enough for whatever reason this season. If they fail to do so again next campaign, then whoever takes over from Wilson will feel the pressure as their Rangers contracts tick down.
The trio’s Ibrox careers are at a crossroads, with whatever happens next amongst the biggest calls to be made by the incoming Rangers sporting director, whoever that may be.