By Anthony Onifade

26th May, 2023 | 4:10pm

Borna Barisic should be told to empty Auchenhowie locker in Rangers crunch talks amid £2m+ development

Rangers are interested in signing Lausanne defender Archie Brown this summer which could well force one key star facing an uncertain Ibrox future to empty their Auchenhowie locker.

The defender, who turns 21 on Sunday [28 May] has enjoyed a thrilling campaign in the Swiss Challenge League, registering five goals and five assists from 33 appearances.

Brown has been a regular for Lausanne since his move from Derby County in 2021 and is heavily regarded as a “highly-rated” footballer considering his successful 2022/23 campaign.

“Rangers have placed Lausanne’s highly-rated left-back Archie Brown on a list of potential signings,” according to the Scottish Daily Mail (back page and page 79, 26 May). “Turning 21 this weekend, the 6ft 3in defender has claimed five goals and five assists and has played first-team football as both a left-sided centre-half and a left full-back.

“Up for grabs for a fee in excess of £2million this summer, FC Copenhagen have shown an interest along with clubs across Europe.”

Rangers boss Michael Beale has already started putting the finishing touches on potential signings, completing a deal for Kieran Dowell on a free transfer and set to tie up a deal for Dujon Sterling [Daily Mail] – a potential long-term replacement for James Tavernier – and also the signing of Jack Butland.

However, it will be the outgoings at Ibrox that will be just as crucial, and given the Gers have already identified a long-term target at left-back, that could well begin the uncertainty surrounding the future of experienced Borna Barisic.

According to the Scottish Daily Mail [26 May], “Barisic is poised for talks with Micheal Beale over his future this summer, with his current deal entering its final 12 months.”

It clearly looks as if Beale is heading in a totally different recruitment direction right now, with the long-term future at Ibrox firmly at the forefront of his mind, and the signing of Brown represents another astute business.

Rangers seem to be heavily proactive in their approach right at this moment, seeing Sterling as a future replacement for Tavernier and now identifying Brown as Barisic’s successor – and the youngster has exerted his attacking class recently, scoring three goals and two assists in his last five Lausanne appearances.

However, the future of the Croatian international looks uncertain with no talks regarding a new deal planned, and there are doubts over the past few weeks about whether Barisic holds a future at Ibrox given his average performances, hence the sudden inclusions of Ridvan Yilmaz, who has grown considerably since then.

At this point, with the potential signing of Brown, Barisic may well be asked to pack his bags and clear his Auchenhowie locker very soon, following the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent out the Ibrox exit door.

With the Rangers squad set to undergo a major refresh, some Light Blues fans may argue that Barisic should be included in the much-needed player exodus.

In other Rangers news, one BBC journalist has raved about the Rangers MOTM in the 2-2 draw against Hearts on Wednesday (24 May).