Deal or no deal? The entire Rangers squad's contracts assessed as Ross Wilson looks to secure key men

The former Feyenoord boss has shown a deft hand in managing the squad Steven Gerrard built but with his two big winter window signings only arriving on loan, we are yet to truly see his vision in action.

And the next few months will see just how he plans to reshape a side capable of retaining the title from Ange Postecoglou's Celtic and continuing the massive strides made in European competition.

With several players either at the end or nearing the end of their contracts, Sporting Director Ross Wilson has a job on his hands in helping determine which players to keep and who is needing to be moved on.

He will work with the manager to ensure the best possible balance is reached between retaining the high quality of the squad and using the finance generated by those who wish to depart to regenerate the team.

Here, we have taken a detailed look at the current squad and their contract status.

Goalkeepers

Allan McGregor

Age: 40

Contract status: Expired

Verdict: No change

It’s widely expected McGregor will hang up the gloves following a long and distinguished career between the sticks. His cameo in the Scottish Cup final would lead you to that conclusion and given he was prone to some costly errors last season, bowing out at this stage on a high would seem a logical one. Even if he is to be offered a new deal, it’s perhaps too much to expect him to remain as the No.1 with Jon McLaughlin or someone else taking over that mantle.

Jon McLaughlin

Age: 34

Contract status: Expires May 2024

Verdict: No change

With McGregor expected to leave or retire, McLaughlin is the obvious candidate to take over the reins. Having signed a contract extension in January that extends his stay at Ibrox for a further two seasons it tells you he is happy at the club and, no doubt, expects to take over as No.1.

Robby McCrorie

Age: 24

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: New deal

This is an intriguing one. McCrorie is one of a number of players whose contract runs out next summer and a decision needs to be made as to whether to offer an extension or look to move him on. Given his two appearances against Alashkert and Celtic last season when he looked comfortable and racked up consecutive clean sheets, it would make sense to tie him down longer-term. However, at 24, McCrorie may want first-team football on a consistent basis. He may be content with being a No.2 but should Rangers bring another keeper into the club then it will be time to look elsewhere for the sake of his own career.

Defenders

Connor Goldson

Age: 29

Contract status: Expires May 2026

Verdict: No change

Everything pointed towards an Ibrox exit for the former Brighton man this summer given the way his contract was allowed to dwindle down. That was until Wednesday when he pledged his future to the club for a further four years. It's a sensational piece of business from the club given he is a leader both on and off the park, is barely ever injured and has developed into a defensive colossus. His decision to stay may also persuade other players to do likewise.

Calvin Bassey

Age: 22

Contract status: Expires May 2024

Verdict: New deal

We may be just over a week into the transfer window but the majority of the speculation has centred around the Nigerian international. His impressive displays domestically and in Europe have alerted a host of clubs. The Rangers Review understand the club is yet to receive an official approach for his services and are relaxed about the player’s contract situation given he has two years left to run on his deal. Given his remarkable improvement in what is his first season playing regular men’s football, he’s likely to kick on again next season so tying him down on a longer-term deal is a must.

James Tavernier

Age: 30

Contract status: Expires May 2024

Verdict: No change

The skipper has just come off another magnificently consistent season where he finished top goalscorer in the Europa League. A recent analysis piece using Stats Bomb data ranked him as the best performer in Scottish football. Contract-wise, with two years left on his current deal, the club will be in no rush to look at extending. It remains to be seen if there will be interest in Tavernier in the summer but, by all accounts, he loves life at Rangers and barring a ridiculous offer, should be at the club for some time yet.

READ MORE: Where do Rangers need to strengthen this summer?

Filip Helander

Age: 29

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: No change

The big Swede has endured a frustrating campaign with most of it spent on the sidelines due to injury. He's a top defender when he's fit and you can see why the club splashed out to secure his signature but given his track record of injuries Rangers simply cannot rely on him to play consistently. With that in mind, Ross Wilson should be seeking potential buyers for his services given he has entered the final year of his contract.

Borna Barisic

Age: 29

Contract status: Expires May 2024

Verdict: No change

Like Helander, Barisic has had his own troubles to seek recently with periods where he has been so devoid of confidence he looks like he’d rather be anywhere else than a football pitch. There have been brilliant displays too and no one can deliver a ball into the box like he can. Contract-wise, he’s not someone high up in Ross Wilson’s priority list given he has two years of his deal remaining. Should a bid come in for the Croatian in the summer then he may be one of a number of players heading for pastures new.

Nikola Katic

Age: 25

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: No change

The Croatian returns to Ibrox having spent a season on loan at Hajduk Split in his homeland and with the jury very much out if he will be part of the manager’s plans going forward. It’s likely he will be afforded a chance in pre-season to show the coaching staff he deserves to be part of the future plans and if so then it’s important to tie him down on a new contract given he has a year left. Failing that, he needs to be moved on for whatever fee can be obtained.

Leon Balogun

Age: 33

Contract status: Expired

Verdict: No change

The Nigerian hasn’t hidden his desire to remain at Ibrox. Speaking after the Scottish Cup final, he said: “I would love to stay. I hope they know that and I hope I can announce something soon.” It would make sense to extend the former Wigan man’s contract, at least for another year. He’s clearly someone who can not only cope with the demands of playing for Rangers but, off the field, he’s a professional who players can look up to and learn from given his wealth of experience. That said, the club have plenty of options in central defence and may want to use his wages in areas more in need of a revamp.

Jack Simpson

Age: 25

Contract status: Expires May 2025

Verdict: No change

Perhaps the forgotten man at Ibrox given his lack of game time under van Bronckhorst. His only appearances under the Dutchman came in the Scottish Cup victories over Stirling Albion and Annan respectively. It’s difficult to see a future for him in a Rangers jersey so he is likely to be moved on in the summer with a nominal fee expected given he has three years left on his current deal. Simpson arrived with a decent reputation and it was a punt worth taking but the move simply hasn't worked out.

Leon King

Age: 18

Contract status: Expires May 2024

Verdict: New deal

Big things are expected of the teenager and next season should see him make more of an impression on the first team. It was a smart move tying him down in January for two-and-a-half more years given his original contract was up this summer and a number of big clubs were credited with an interest in the centre back. You'd imagine his representatives want to see there is a pathway to first-team action before committing to a longer deal and Rangers should look to provide that in the early knocking of the season before offering a golden handcuffs contract.

Mateusz Zukowski

Age: 20

Contract status: Expires May 2025

Verdict: No change

The Pole signed in January and made his debut in the Scottish Cup win at Annan but hasn’t been seen since due to injury. Given he has three years left on his deal he is not a priority for Ross Wilson. A project player, he will be expected to make more of an impact in the months ahead if he is to remain for the long term, especially after the emergence of the exciting young talent Adam Devine.

Midfielders

Steven Davis

Age: 37

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: No change

At the time of writing, Davis has just put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension at Ibrox. Despite being in the twilight of his career, the deal makes sense given he can still cut it on the grass and the benefits of having him in and around the club are invaluable due to his experience in the game.

Ryan Jack

Age: 30

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: New Deal

Jack is someone who you’d imagine will be looking to renew his current deal which expires next summer. He’s had his own injury problems to seek of late and is currently injured which has forced him to pull out of Scotland’s World Cup playoff with Ukraine. When fit, he’s a vital component in this Rangers side and adding one or two more years onto his existing contract would make sense.

Joe Aribo

Age: 25

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: New Deal

With the Nigerian now in the final year of his contract, it’s decision time this summer for both player and club. It’s a simple choice - sign a new deal or be moved on. Rangers cannot afford to allow a player of his talent to walk out the door for nothing. What they can realistically receive for his services is another question and given he now has less than 12 months remaining, previous estimates of £15-20m are surely over-ambitious and a deal of around £10m would have to be seen as good value in the circumstances.

Glen Kamara

Age: 26

Contract status: Expires May 2025

Verdict: No change

The Finn has another three years left to run on his deal given he signed an extension in September of last year. It’s probably unlikely he will see out his contract but it gives Rangers some added stability and strengthens their hand should an interested club table a bid. Like many players, he has excelled on the European stage so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see offers made for the former Dundee man.

READ MORE: How can Rangers improve the goalscoring potential of their wingers?

John Lundstram

Age: 28

Contract status: Expires May 2024

Verdict: No change

It’s been a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the powerful Scouser. He has learned what it takes to play for a club such as Rangers and has gone from zero to hero in a matter of a few months. Given he has two years left on his deal, he won’t be a priority for Ross Wilson but you’d imagine contract talks would develop over the course of this season given how integral he has become to this team. That said, he arrived on a free and is on very good wages so the Ibrox club may be more relaxed than they would be with a player who they paid money for or was younger.

James Sands

Age: 21

Contract status: Loan from New York City until May 2023 with an option to buy

Verdict: No change

Since arriving from the MLS in January, Sands has been used sparingly both in midfield and defence. Expect to see more of the American in the coming season but his performances will dictate whether Rangers will stump up cash to acquire his services on a permanent basis next summer. He's been solid but unspectacular so far.

Scott Arfield

Age: 33

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: No change

With his previous contract due to expire at the end of the season, Arfield penned a one-year extension last month, much to his delight. He said: "I’ve always looked for longevity and stability at a club, and I am so pleased to have had that and have it going into the future here at Rangers. When you get to this stage in your career, your family is the most important thing, and I couldn’t imagine moving them again. To be staying put at Rangers is just fantastic for all of us.” Like Davis, he is one of the elder statesmen in this Rangers side and his off-field influence may be just as important as what he can contribute on it. He’s clearly a player that van Bronckhorst trusts and someone who he can rely on if needed.

Alex Lowry

Age: 18

Contract status: Expires May 2025

Verdict: No change

Credit must go to the club for tying down the teenager on a longer-term deal last month. In his glimpses in the first team, he has shown he has an abundance of talent and is someone you want to keep at Ibrox for as long as possible. Like Kamara, it’s perhaps optimistic to think he will see out his contract but it gives the club the security and if a club want to entice him away then they need to pay big money. If he has the season many think he is capable of next term then Rangers will need to get him tied down towards the end of next season.

Stephen Kelly

Age: 22

Contract status: May 2023

Verdict: No change

Kelly spent the second half of last season on loan at English League Two outfit Salford City following a discussion with van Bronckhorst. He performed well for Gary Bowyer’s men and played consistently which is important at his age. That being said, despite impressing in pre-season last summer, it remains to be seen if he will form part of next season’s squad. Given he is in the final year of his contract, Kelly is playing for his future. The next two months will determine if he stays or is offloaded. Given new deals for Arfield and Davis, you wouldn't imagine there will be too many opportunities for the former Ross County loanee.

Ianis Hagi

Age: 23

Contract status: Expires May 2024

Verdict: New deal

The Romanian is battling to be fit for the start of next season after suffering a horror knee injury in the Scottish Cup win over Stirling Albion. Despite not featuring for months, it’s not stopped paper talk with Galatasary said to have an interest. The summer is crucial for Hagi, he needs a good pre-season and to return fit and hungry, if he can do that then Rangers have a key player back for the upcoming campaign. With two years left there's no immediate rush but a good start to the new season would put the pressure on to get a deal done. Given the faith in the Romanian's ability within the club, it's a deal that should be looked at sooner rather than later.

Nnamdi Ofoborh

Age: 22

Contract status: Expires May 2025

Verdict: No change

Last year’s summer signing from Bournemouth has endured a nightmare season as a heart issue has prevented him from playing for the Light Blues. It’s not yet clear when and if he will be able to return to the first-team squad with no news on his situation for several months.

Forwards

Ryan Kent

Age: 25

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: New deal

It was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde season for Kent last term. Despite being brilliant in the Europa League, he fell way below the standards expected domestically in terms of the number of goals being posted. Now he’s in the final year of his contract, he will be someone Rangers won’t want to lose for nothing. Discussions should be taking place to determine where Kent’s future lies and if he wants to move on, he must do so in this transfer window. Given his age and quality, Kent's a £20m player and impossible to replace like for like on a Scottish Premiership budget. A new deal would instantly secure the ability to realise his value but the winger may fancy a different test. What happens with Kent's future will be one of the defining decisions of the summer.

Fashion Sakala

Age: 25

Contract status: Expires May 2025

Verdict: No change

With three years left on his deal, the Zambian is going nowhere unless a decent offer is made. He's offered a decent return in terms of his numbers but has the raw attributes to offer a lot more if he can finesse parts of his game.

Alfredo Morelos

Age: 25

Contract status: Expires May 2023

Verdict: New deal

The future of El Buffalo is of paramount importance this summer. Like several others, he’s now in the final year of his contract so getting him tied down will surely be a priority. The Colombian enjoyed a return to goalscoring form under van Bronckhorst before a thigh injury cruelly cut his season short. Replacing him would be best avoided if possible but that depends on offering a contract that will entice Morelos to extend his stay in Glasgow. Transfer speculation around the striker has quietened after several shrill windows that saw him linked with a move to every major league in Europe. A new deal might just work for both parties at this stage.

Scott Wright

Age: 24

Contract status: Expires May 2025

Verdict: No change

With a contract of decent length already in place, Wright has to continue the good form he displayed towards the end of this season before a new deal is even countenanced.

Kemar Roofe

Age: 29

Contract status: Expires May 2024

Verdict: No change

The Jamaican international has endured a largely frustrating season due to injury which has plagued much of his career. Like Helander, Rangers cannot rely on him to play consistently so a decision may be made to move him on. It would be a shame given he’s arguably the best finisher at the club but he’s simply no use if he’s sitting in the stand. With two years left on his deal, Rangers should be able to recoup the lion's share of the £4m they reportedly paid Anderlecht for his services.