Steven Davis and Filip Helander ‘will depart’ Rangers as Tom English drops verdict on Ryan Jack future for BBC Sport ahead of Celtic clash
Steven Davis and Filip Helander are definite Rangers departures this summer and three more senior men are likely to follow says Tom English.
The two are part of a considerable cohort of veteram names who are out of contract at the end of the season, with Michael Beale set for a rebuild to take on the Celtic machine, along with Ryan Jack, Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, plus star pair Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.
While stopping short of offering a conclusion on the latter duo, English expects the Northern Irish midfielder and Swedish defender to end their Rangers careers at the end of the season, likely along with 41-year-old McGregor, and believes Jack and Arfield must go too.
In his BBC Sport column ahead of the Old Firm derby at Celtic on Saturday (8 April) English said: “[Ange] Postecoglou knew exactly what kind of players he was looking for and where to find them. Do Rangers have the same wisdom? Beale has decisions to make.
“He has eight players out of contract in the summer, many of them on major money, some of them contributing little or nothing.
“Filip Helander and Steven Davis will depart. Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield are not regular starters and Rangers need better. Allan McGregor is 41 and will surely call it quits after a terrific career.”
Overhaul
Whatever decisions are made by the manager and the Ibrox board this summer there is sure to be a lot of exits, as the old guard starts to move on.
At 38 and coming off a serious knee injury it is extremely difficult to see Davis adding to his considerable Rangers service, and the once key Helander has seen the club move on in his own long-term injury absence.
McGregor appeared to be retiring last summer before a late change of heart, and Beale is going to need to find a successor as a matter of priority whether the 500-appearance keeper sticks around or not.
Arfield has had a habit of coming up with key goals well into his 30s, but he has only completed 90 minutes twice across all competitions this season and his influence has clearly waned.
But the assessment of Jack is perhaps harsh, given the struggles of John Lundstram and the fact that the manager clearly seems to prefer him to Glen Kamara.
Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell are clearly the future in central midfield, but Beale has made clear he values the Scotland international so of the five he seems most likely to remain.
Morelos and Kent take the headlines, and the potential for both to leave for nothing is a major fumbling of assets, but as painful as it may be the club are going to have to move into a new era imminently.
In other Rangers news, the club are in the hunt for an All-Star striker this summer and have already scouted him.