Mark Hateley says Rangers face major transfer dilemma this summer
Mark Hateley has questioned whether Rangers will be able to strengthen their squad this summer, or if they’ll need to sell key players first to fund any moves.
Rangers finished as runners-up in the Scottish Premiership and Europa League this season, but were able to win the Scottish Cup in extra-time to ensure the season wasn’t totally wasted.
But with several key players out of contract this summer and next summer, the club must make decisions on the future of many of their stars and that will be the club’s biggest task this summer according to Hateley, who was speaking to the Glasgow Times.
“Next year it will be what happens in this summer, right now, in the next two weeks, the way that Rangers are going to go right now – whether they are going to sell and then bring in other people, that’s going to be the decision,” he said.
“You look at the bench, it’s very deep in strength, you can take five off and bring five on and the team becomes stronger all of a sudden that’s what Rangers have got right now.
“I heard people talk about, ‘what are we going to do this summer, are we going to be selling players or strengthening?’
“What we’re looking at now, do Rangers go and strengthen from this position of strength or will they have to sell to do that? I think that’s the next question.”
Pressure
Van Bronckhorst achieved some brilliant things this season considering he took over the club in November and his January signings failed to really make an impact on the second half of the season.
However during the summer he will have the chance to shape the squad more in his own image, but that will need money and that will mean some players have to leave.
Connor Goldson, Steven Davis and Leon Balogun will all see their deals end this summer, while Allan McGregor is yet to communicate a decision on whether he will retire or not.
But additionally the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo are all out of contract next summer and Glen Kamara has reportedly attracted interest too.
The club can’t afford to leave so many top and important players leave for free, so if a new deal can’t be agreed then they must sell and replace well, which could end up making them weaker than this season.
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