Rangers will need to sell a lot of players this summer if Philippe Clement is going to get the type of team that he wants.
The manager has already seen five players leave and five new arrivals but there is still a lot of work to be done.
The first player to leave Rangers who was under contract is Robby McCrorie having agreed a two-year deal with Kilmarnock.
Robby McCrorie makes Rangers exit after running out of patience
McCrorie couldn’t have done any more when he was given a chance to play.
In seven appearances for the first team, he only conceded two goals and kept five clean sheets including two against Celtic.
He also only played against top six teams which makes his numbers even more impressive.
Highly rated by every manager, McCrorie has expressed his frustration about his last few years at Ibrox as well as his excitement for the future, speaking to Sky Sports:
“I’ve been looking to do this for a long time now and the manager in Derek McInnes and the club in Kilmarnock has given me the opportunity and shown me the commitment to bring me here and get games.
“So, I’m looking forward to the future.
‘From a football perspective, I wouldn’t say it was difficult, there was frustration the last couple of years.
“From the emotional side, I’ve been there since I was eight years old, 18 years.
“I was desperate for this to happen so, I’m glad it’s done now and I’m looking forward to what I can bring to Kilmarnock and what they can do for myself also.
“I was always set on getting out and getting games.”
McCrorie right to jump ship in bid to achieve his goals
Put it another way, if McCrorie had been an outfield player, he would have kept his place in the team under both Steven Gerrard and Michael Beale.
When you consider that Gerrard reinstalled a 40-year old with back problems who had been out of form instead of showing McCrorie a bit of faith, it’s only a wonder the former Scotland youth international didn’t demand to leave sooner.
Replaced already by Liam Kelly, McCrorie had come to the point in his career where he had to leave, especially with Jack Butland ahead of him.
The Scotland number one jersey is currently held by Angus Gunn but he has come in for criticism recently given the number of goals that the national team has conceded.
McCrorie has every right to aim high and should be targeting a place in Steve Clarke’s squad on merit rather than potential.
McCrorie left the door open for a return to the club he supports and, who knows, if he impresses over the next few seasons, he could well be first in line to replace Butland – whenever that time comes.
