Scott Wright and Jon McLaughlin Rangers futures unclear as Michael Beale refuses to name names
Rangers boss Michael Beale refused to confirm that Scott Wright and Jon McLaughlin are part of his plans for next season in his comments ahead of the last home game of the season, as reported by the Rangers Review.
Hearts come to Ibrox on Wednesday evening as several Gers stars prepare to say farewell to the fans after the headline news delivered yesterday.
Beale’s summer rebuild of the squad is gathering pace already but his comments indicated that more exits are imminent.
Outside of a handful of first team regulars, no other players are certain to feature in the new campaign with several fringe performers deemed surplus to requirements.
In a diplomatic way, Beale refused to confirm that Wright and McLaughlin have a role to play moving forward.
“There’s a few players in the squad that I’ve had conversations with about their futures,” he said.
“I wouldn’t pick their names out as specific ones, there’s other players in the squad who want to know where their futures lie in terms of minutes and in the grand scheme of things.
“It wouldn’t be right to name certain names.”
Make it happen
From the response above, it’s evident that the manager didn’t want to be drawn on further expected departures from the club but you can understand why.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rangers announced that the quintet of Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander would be moving on with the expiry of their deals, and they will be acknowledged at the Hearts game.
Beyond that though, Beale is in a difficult position as he can’t exactly say that certain players under contract aren’t wanted as the club needs to find buyers for them. Now he needs to go and make it happen.
With Wright linked to English Championship side Preston North End, the Aberdonian would thrive at such a club at that level, away from the intense demands at Ibrox.
McLaughlin has a year remaining on his Rangers deal but he is not a realistic option for the new campaign unless he is in a backup role as third choice.
More will follow but that pair are firmly in the bracket of players who will be allowed to leave.
In other Rangers news, a reshuffle is confirmed as another backroom change is set to take place in the coming weeks.