Kevin Thelwell’s Ibrox clear-out begins as Rangers agree deal in principle
Kevin Thelwell could have his work cut out this summer as he looks to assemble a squad for Russell Martin.
Martin will be under immediate pressure to work towards ending Celtic’s Premiership dominance, and will surely require several new additions if he is to successfully implement his expansive, possession-based style of football.
However, after a fairly disastrous season for Rangers, several players will need to leave the club if they are to close the gap to their city rivals.
Rangers agree deal to sell Robin Propper
Thelwell is expected to have plenty of money to work with this summer following Rangers’ recent takeover, but moving players off the wage bill will also be a major priority.
Robin Propper has struggled to properly adapt to life at Ibrox since his move from FC Twente last summer, and now the midfielder is set to return to the Dutch outfit according to Tubantia (12 June – 15.11).
Twente have agreed a deal in principle with the Bears, but are understood to still be awaiting confirmation from both Rangers and Propper himself.
The 31-year-old is set to sign a three-year contract back at his old club, bringing his spell in Govan to a close after just one season.
Philippe Clement said Propper would be ‘excellent’
With fresh owners in place and a new manager to boot, the current focus at Ibrox will be on smoothly shifting away from the old regime and restructuring the playing squad to suit the needs of Martin and his staff.
That will likely mean a clear-out of several players who were brought to the club by Philippe Clement.
Propper arrived at Ibrox having captained Twente to a third placed finish in the Eredivisie, and was branded as an “excellent addition” to the squad by Clement.
However, that hasn’t really materialised during his time with Rangers, as Propper has failed to display the sort of leadership and reliability that Clement expected of him when he joined.
There were undoubtedly worse performers at the club this season, but given the level of turnover that looks likely to be needed within the squad, it would make little sense to keep hold of Propper when there is a club who are totally prepared to take him off Rangers’ hands.