Rangers need a major reset, just as they did in 2018 when Steven Gerrard became manager and restored standards on and off the pitch.
With Mark Allen as sporting director, he wasn’t quite given a blank cheque, however, he did get backed by the board to bring in 20 players throughout the season.
Only Connor Goldson is still at the club – for how much longer isn’t sure – and Philippe Clement will need a similar sort of turnover this summer, but what are the rest of the Rangers class of 2018 up to now?
Rangers rebuild is one that Philippe Clement could repeat
In January of 2019 in Gerrard’s first season, Jermain Defoe, Steven Davis, Matt Polster and Glen Kamara all arrived, here the players who arrived in the summer and where they are now:
Borna Barisic
Signed from NK Osijek, the much-maligned left-back has just been released by Rangers and looks set to move to Turkey and sign for Trabzonspor.
Nikola Katic
Looked a bargain at £2m alongside Goldson before errors and poor distribution blighted his form.
Now starring for FC Zurich and has gained international recognition for Bosnia.
Jamie Murphy
Enjoyed a successful loan spell after signing the previous January before having the deal made permanent.
Disaster struck in the early stages of the campaign when he ruptured his ACL on Kilmarnock’s artificial turf.
He’s still playing for Ayr United, however, he was never the same player again.
Kyle Lafferty
Signed after an outstanding goalscoring season at Hearts, he had a few highlights on his debut against Motherwell and Villareal but was largely a disappointment otherwise.
He was one of a few senior players who didn’t turn up against a Liverpool youth team and barely played for the club again – a wasted opportunity.
Last seen this season in Scotland’s sixth tier for Johnstone Burgh.
Eros Grezda
Where do you start?
Signed when he was injured for £2m, had one good game against Motherwell and then became the B team’s best player.
At 29-years old, he is now taking a career break.
Andy Firth
Nice guy, loved his time at Rangers but, what was the point?
Would have been on low wages, however, one of the academy goalkeepers could easily have replicated his job.
Now at Connagh’s Quay Nomad’s – exactly.
Scott Arfield
Pound for pound one of Rangers best signings in the modern era on a free transfer.
With hindsight, should have been kept instead of Ryan Jack for the UEFA quota last season but he is now loving life in MLS at Charlotte FC.
Allan McGregor
Was already considered a Rangers great before returning to Ibrox in the twilight of his career.
Another league title would have cemented his place as the greatest of all time but is now firmly in the conversation alongside Andy Goram, currently playing a lot of golf.
Jon Flanagan
One of many players who arrived from Liverpool, Flanagan was looking to get what had been a promising career back on track.
His no-nonsense style of defending endeared him to fans, he just couldn’t dislodge Barisic or James Tavernier as first picks.
Retired two years ago whilst still in his 20s due to constant injury problems.
Gareth McAuley
Not many footballers get to see out their final days at the club they supported as a boy, however, the Northern Ireland legend managed to do just that.
Brought to provide experienced cover in defence, he did exactly that, even if his legs had started to go.
Ovie Ejaria
Looked like he was destined for bigger things when he first arrived at Rangers and put in one of the most complete European performances ever seen against Ufa away from home.
Couldn’t handle the pressure, returned to Liverpool before dropping down to the Championship.
Now without a club in what is a sad state of affairs.
Umar Sadiq
Is a £20m striker nowadays, who saw that coming?
Arrived with a growing reputation but clearly never settled into Steven Gerrard’s plans or adapted to the Scottish game.
Now a La Liga regular for Real Sociedad after previously being linked with Man City.
Lassana Coulibaly
First impressions have ultimately proven to be right with Coulibaly.
A permanent deal seemed like a no-brainer until injury and personal unrest saw his form fall off a cliff.
Refound his confidence and is now playing in Serie A and linked with the likes of Napoli.
Ryan Kent
The grass isn’t always greener.
Promised much, delivered little other than a very impressive highlights reel.
Should be playing in the Bundesliga after bringing in a £20m fee, instead it looks like Fenerbahce are going to cancel his contract.
Joe Worrall
Never short of confidence, Worrall returned to Nottingham Forrest and became club captain, leading them to the Premier League.
A fallout behind the scenes saw him sent out on loan but a new manager might restore him to the starting line-up next season.
Has matured into a very competent central defender.
It’s a list with one theme running through it – what might have been.
In the grand scheme of things, there aren’t many misses on it and Philippe Clement will need something similar this summer.
