Tom English stunned as Rangers transfer exits predicted on BBC Sportscene
Tom English was left stunned by the lengthy list of players Rory Loy said should be sold by Rangers this summer.
Rangers won the Scottish League Cup earlier this season but are likely to miss out on the Scottish Premiership title to Celtic after their Old Firm derby defeat at Parkhead on 11 May.
And Loy believes that significant change is needed at Ibrox next season if the Gers are to leapfrog their rivals.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound (07:21pm, 14 May), he said: “I think that Barisic, Lundstram and Goldson all fall into that category as well.
“I think those four [including Tavernier], it’s time for them to move on and for a fresh start. They’ve been good for the club, they’ve done really well, but I just think – almost like Derek McInnes at Aberdeen – you kind of get that feeling [that] it’s time. And I think, for me, it’s that time.
“It’s just a natural kind of end, in my opinion, and, in terms of the rest of the squad – Balogun, Jack and Roofe, I think they’ll move on, their contracts are up.
“I’d pay the money for Sima. You know what you’re going to get. I’d rather sign Sima – If I were Rangers manager – at £5million than take a risk on an unknown at £3million. I would keep Lawrence, I know Tom’s got his reservations but I’d keep him for another season.
“Scott Wright kind of speaks for himself. Balogun I would move on, Wright [and] Hagi [too]. Dowell, for me, isn’t a Rangers player. Ben Davies has had enough opportunities. Cifuentes I’d move on.
“Who would I keep? I’d keep Sima, I would keep Lawrence, King, Cantwell, Souttar, Dessers, Butland, Yilmaz. I would bring back Lammers for another go. Danilo, we’ve not seen enough of, I think he deserves another opportunity when he’s fit. McCausland, Sterling, Diomande, Raskin.”
English simply replied: “Wow.”
How many players should Rangers sell in the summer transfer window?
Philippe Clement could be set to oversee a fairly significant squad overhaul at Ibrox this summer.
Borna Barisic, Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, John Lundstram and Jon McLaughlin all have contracts that expire at the end of the season, while the loan deals of Abdallah Sima, Oscar Cortes and Fabio Silva are also coming to an end.
A further four players – Tom Lawrence, Robby McCrorie, Scott Wright and Alex Lowry will have just one year remaining on their deals in the summer, while James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Ben Davies, Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo and Leon King will be entering the final two years of their terms.
That is a sizeable host of players whose futures at the club demand immediate attention – and that is without considering the quintet who will be returning from loan or players such as Jack Butland who have reportedly expressed a desire to leave.
The Light Blues could look a very different side on the first day of the 2024/25 season – Gers fans will hope it is for better and not worse.
In other Rangers news, the Gers’ Jefte deal is now in doubt after a new development.
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