Michael Beale could easily get rid of 12 players in Rangers transfer rebuild
Michael Beale gave a firm indication of the extent of the Rangers rebuild ahead at Ibrox over the coming months, in the aftermath of Sunday’s bitterly disappointing defeat to Celtic in the Scottish Cup.
“The biggest rebuild the club has seen in a number of years,” was what came straight from the biggest source there is.
The manager also gave tacit approval to a suggestion that there could be as many as 12 arrivals, to complement the same number of departures in the squad. That is the scale of the changes to come so what would it look like in terms of those who will be leaving?
First of all, there are those players out of contract in the coming weeks. Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Allan McGregor and Filip Helander appear to be definite for different reasons, with significant question marks over Scott Arfield and Steven Davis.
Ryan Jack merits a one-year extension on reduced terms whilst Malik Tillman, whose initial loan spell is due to end, represents a defining decision.
Spend the money to trigger the permanent deal from Bayern Munich or use the cash to better effect elsewhere in the team? It’s a difficult decision and much will come down to what the player wants to do.
Then there are several players who could and should be made available for transfer. Some will have interested suitors, while others will require their agents to get working when it is made clear that they aren’t going to feature at Ibrox.
Glen Kamara is the first to go. His signing from Dundee was great business of mutual benefit, but things have clearly gone stale. He is a proven international who can rekindle his career elsewhere.
Ianis Hagi is a talented player who has shown quality in glimpses but that’s all it has been due to injury and fluctuating form. He gets thanks for a key contribution to the title in 2021 but he isn’t going to force his way into a dominant role in the team. Sell.
Borna Barisic was shown up again on Sunday at Hampden and we need better, with one year left on his deal there is the potential of getting a small fee for the Croatia international, but he is also a no-risk option to see out his final year.
One or two left-backs will be needed, with the intriguing situation of Ridvan. The Turkish international arrived for good money from Besiktas but there is no real indication so far that he can be a long-term option.
Ben Davies should be sold and replaced with a more assertive, aggressive option for the demands of Scottish football. He will have plenty of options in the English Championship
Rabbi Matondo should be moved on if there is a buyer, whilst John Lundstram is another contender due to poor form. Rangers need players who can be relied on which hasn’t been the case for the Scouser. Scott Wright and Jon McLaughlin are also surplus to requirements.
Every player has their price as the recent past has shown, but selling players is easier said than done, obviously requiring a willing buyer.
It is clear that many have reached the end of the road at Ibrox and with a total of 17 players featured, the scope to remove a dozen from the squad is very evident.
In other Rangers news, a £35m transfer suggestion could see the club in line for a new summer windfall