Derek Clark moots January exit for Kieran Dowell at Rangers
It is hard to see Kieran Dowell remaining at Rangers beyond the January transfer window, according to journalist Derek Clark.
Attacking midfielder Dowell was one of nine summer arrivals at Ibrox as part of an extensive squad overhaul from former boss Michael Beale.
But injuries and poor form have restricted Dowell to only seven appearances across all competitions, the last of which was as a late substitute in the 5-0 win at Dundee on 1 November.
As such, Clark thinks the writing is on the wall for the former Norwich City man, saying on the Rangers Review Podcast (5 December): “He (Philippe Clement) was also asked about Kieran Dowell, there was a bit of noise that he’ll be allowed to leave in January.
“Interestingly he said there’s a lot of competition in that area of the pitch but that he still has a Rangers future, everyone at the club still has a future as does he.
“I would be surprised to see him past January 31st Josh or when that transfer window shuts. I don’t think he’s gonna spend much longer at Rangers I’ve got to admit, I don’t see where he gets an opportunity.”
Simply hasn’t worked
If defence of Kieran Dowell, he is not the only summer arrival who just simply has not hit the heights demanded of a Rangers player.
Indeed, the jury is very much still out on Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers, while the likes of Dujon Sterling and Jose Cifuentes have hardly set the world alight either.
The issue Dowell has is that there are plenty of other midfield options available and Beale’s successor Clement is probably looking for a different type of profile to Dowell.
Clement has spoken at length of an imbalance in the Rangers squad, and if he is going to start addressing that when the window opens next month then there will be inevitable casualties in terms of exits at Ibrox.
And given his lack of game time and impact in Glasgow, it seems obvious that Dowell will be sacrificed to bring in new faces should the club be able to find him a new club.
In other Rangers news, Clement has made a frank admission ahead of the January transfer window.