Rangers transfer news: Antonio Colak update emerges amid agent change as Cyriel Dessers closes in on Ibrox deal
Antonio Colak “will leave” Rangers this summer because he is not Michael Beale’s “cup of tea” says Jonny McFarlane.
The 29-year-old only arrived at Ibrox a year ago and netted a respectable 18 goals in his debut season in Glasgow, including 13 in the SPFL, but fell out of favour amid injury issues once Beale took over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
With the Gers closing in on the signing of Cremonese forward Cyriel Dessers [Calcio Mercato, 7 June], and the manager wanting to sign multiple strikers this summer, McFarlane expects Colak to leave in light of the fact that he changed agents less than two months ago [Glasgow Times, 26 April].
Asked if there was a future at Ibrox for the Croatian if Dessers arrives on the Rangers Review YouTube channel (9 June, 15m 5s) McFarlane answered: “I don’t think so, I’ve got to be honest, I think Colak will leave.
“He’s just signed up with a new agency, we know what that means.
“Michael Beale’s made great play of the fact that he’s not really seen a fit and firing Antonio Colak… but I just think Colak isn’t really Beale’s cup of tea.”
McFarlane accepted he might be “totally wrong” in that view, but believes that while the striker has “ice in his veins” as a finisher he isn’t the all-round footballer that the Ibrox boss wants.
Writing on the wall
Colak opened the season as the leading light in the summer transfer haul, and his goals were what fired Rangers into the Champions League group stage.
That proved to be a miserable experience that contributed to Van Bronckhorst losing his job, and the managerial change appears to have altered the number nine’s trajectory at Ibrox in a big way.
Fitness issues ruined the second half of his campaign, but Beale appeared to prefer the exit-bound Alfredo Morelos even though the Colombian was not long for the club either way.
Beale’s assessment of Colak going forward wasn’t a huge vote of confidence, and as he has been openly speaking about signing two strikers it doesn’t say much for what he views the Croatian’s impact being next season.
So with Dessers likely to be the top man if his move can be pushed through, and a second signing sought to go along with him and Kemar Roofe who is also in situ it probably makes sense all round for Colak to find a new club.
He hasn’t damaged his reputation at all at Rangers but if he doesn’t suit the manager’s style then there is no point in him sitting on the bench when he can score goals elsewhere.
And if he can bring in some money at the same time it should be a situation where he departs with the Gers’ best wishes and everybody wins.
In other Rangers news, another Ibrox ace has revealed he is now in talks over a new contract despite speculation he could leave.