Rangers may already have John Souttar replacement with pre-contract agreement in January
Rangers should look to replace John Souttar with Hearts centre-back Craig Halkett next summer.
The two Scottish defenders will see their respective contracts expire at the end of the season, allowing the Gers to have a replacement ready in their backline as soon as January.
Souttar’s extension has to be a priority at Ibrox, but if fresh terms can’t be agreed, then the Light Blues must undoubtedly have a contingency in place.
Derek Cornelius has thrived under Danny Rohl, and while it would make sense to trigger the option to buy the Canada international, it remains to be seen whether the Glaswegian outfit go through with it.
Craig Halkett to give Rangers European advantage
Halkett could potentially be of immense help at the Gers in terms of their European squad, Stevie Clifford says.
Under the current UEFA rules, the Light Blues’ 25-man squad in European competitions must include at least four club-trained talents, which the Hearts defender fits into.
The 30-year-old made his way through the youth ranks at Ibrox before joining Livingston in 2016.
Speaking on The Rangers Review on 3 December, Four Lads said: “Would I go and bring in Halkett at centre-back on a Bosman, who knows the club, brought up at the club, so helps with European coefficient, especially if you’re losing Souttar? The answer would probably be yes.”
Nasser Djiga has been an awful signing at Ibrox, while Emmanuel Fernandez is still learning his trade in G51.
Regardless of Souttar’s future in Govan, it’s clear that Rohl needs more quality in defence in the upcoming transfer windows.
Ibrox free transfer prospects underwhelm
Connor Barron has been a decent squad player at Ibrox, but it would be surprising to see him cement his place in the starting lineup long term.
Rangers also signed Lyall Cameron on a pre-contract agreement from Dundee, but the midfielder is hardly getting a kick this season.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| 16 | 5 | 1 | 1295 |
The Gers haven’t had the best of luck with players they’ve signed using the Bosman rule, and it remains to be seen whether the new recruitment team will see Halkett as a viable option.
What’s undisputed is that a squad overhaul is needed at the Glaswegian outfit, with several players not good enough to wear the shirt in G51.
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