The transfer window may be shut for Philippe Clement, however, Rangers still have a wait to see if any more players will leave this summer.
The manager was hoping to move on Ianis Hagi but now looks like he might be forced into a rethink and let the Romania international rejoin the first-team squad.
Another player whose Ibrox future remains uncertain is James Tavernier, who has been linked with a move to Turkey.
- READ MORE: Rangers Net Transfer Spend Summer 2024
James Tavernier in Rangers exit prediction
Talk of a £5.5m valuation seem unrealistic, however, there is no smoke without fire and BBC Scotland pundit Rory Loy – a former Rangers academy star – reckons that it is only a matter of time before the skipper leaves:
“I don’t think he has been particularly consistent this season, and that’s a worry,” Loy told the Scottish Football Podcast.
“His body language doesn’t look the same as it has done in previous years, even in defeat they have had against Celtic he just strikes you as a different character.
“In this day and age he continues to be linked with a move away, for me that is coming from his camp wherever it be his agent trying to drum up interest – some of the interest may not even be there, agents are good at that these days – but everything just strikes to me that he would like to move on.
“I have said for a while now having your right back score so many goals is a bonus, it shouldn’t be a necessity in any team.
“For Rangers as a club maybe it is time, and for Rangers as a club maybe it is better to move him on and say ‘Sterling is quite injury prone, but let’s get him in at right-back and give him a go until January’.
“I just think from the club’s perspective it is not a healthy situation at the moment, especially after he scenes last week at Ibrox. It just feels like it has reached a natural conclusion and if Rangers were to hold onto him they are risking that toxic energy persisting.”
The clock is already ticking on Tavernier’s Rangers career
Tavernier was said to be frustrated at the abuse he received from a handful of fans after the defeat to Celtic, and it could be that this was the final straw.
As he nears his 33rd birthday, any potential move would be Tavernier’s last chance to earn a bumper contract to better his Rangers one that still has two years to run.
As Loy touches on, Philippe Clement is in a good position.
Not only does he have Sterling, but he also has deadline day recruit Neraysho Kasanwirjo.
Two young, athletic, aggressive defenders who are more than capable of supporting the attack.
Tavernier won’t go on forever and there is no point having a player trading model if the manager isn’t going to give new players a chance.
It would be a surprise to see Tavernier leave, but his days of playing every game should be numbered, for more than one reason.
