RANGERS face the prospect of a squad overhaul in the upcoming transfer windows with as many as 10 players nearing the end of their contract or their loan spell.

Ibrox boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst was quizzed on the potential rebuild in a press conference earlier this month in which he said: “We have 10 players out of contract or end of loan so if they don’t extend or aren’t there then that’s 10 players you have to replace.

“You want to develop a team but I don’t know what’s happening with the players. We could have 10 new players coming in next season which means you have to gel and develop a team. We have to wait and see how the team will look. It’s football.

“Players are out of contract so you don’t decide their future - it’s in their own hands. It could be 10 or less. It depends how the coming months go but we have a lot of players out of contract.”

With this in mind, let’s take a look at Rangers’ current squad and judge who should be retained and who should be allowed to depart.

Goalkeepers

Allan McGregor

It came as a surprise when the 40-year-old penned a contract extension last summer given what appeared to be an emotional goodbye at the Scottish Cup final. Despite reclaiming the No.1 jersey from Jon McLaughlin, you can’t foresee McGregor signing another deal. There is no denying he will leave as an Ibrox great and arguably the best goalkeeper in the club’s illustrious 150-year history but there has to be a succession plan. Whether that means Robby McCrorie takes over as first choice or the club bring in another goalkeeper.

Contract situation: Expires May 2023

Verdict: Depart

Jon McLaughlin

McLaughlin was given the opportunity between the sticks at the start of the campaign but a horror show at Parkhead raised doubts he had the ability to be the No.1. He was ruled out of the Champions League match with Napoli at Ibrox only for McGregor to return and pull off two penalty saves and he’s only featured in the League cup win over Dundee since then. That being said, with his contract due to expire in 2024, he is still a very capable deputy and it would be advisable to keep him around.

Contract situation: Expires May 2024

Verdict: Keep

Robby McCrorie

The 24-year-old recently penned a contract extension at Ibrox, presumably with the assumption he will be given the opportunity to stake a claim to be the No.1. He’s at an age where he simply has to be playing games and with McGregor likely to depart in the summer then next season may be a chance to see more of him. He performed admirably in the two matches he was called upon last season, keeping clean sheets against Celtic and Alashkert and there are many supporters who would like to see him given a chance to establish himself.

Contract situation: Expires May 2025

Verdict: Keep

Defenders

James Tavernier

Like McCrorie, the skipper is another who signed a contract extension recently which means he is going nowhere unless a serious bid was to be tabled. He’s been far from his best this term but he is still a key component of this Rangers squad and someone worth keeping around.

Contract situation: Expires May 2026

Verdict: Keep

Connor Goldson

Similar to McGregor, there was a great deal of surprise when Goldson signed a new deal in the summer after running down his previous contract. He had been an ever-present in the team since joining from Brighton up until he suffered a thigh strain against Liverpool. His absence has been felt massively and the sooner he is able to return to the backline the better. Like Tavernier, unless a lucrative offer comes in, he’s staying put.

Contract situation: Expires May 2026

Verdict: Keep

Leon King

This season has been a baptism of fire for the 18-year-old. He’s been thrust into the spotlight due to a series of long-term injuries to the Rangers backline. He’s contracted until May 2024 so an extension isn’t an immediate priority but it’s important he signs a new deal before being allowed to enter the final year.

Contract situation: Expires May 2024

Verdict: Keep

Ben Davies

The summer signing from Liverpool hasn’t seen as much game time as he and the Rangers support would’ve liked but he has shown what a quality footballer he is when called upon. He is a classy operator and should be at Ibrox for some time to come all being well.

Contract situation: Expires May 2026

Verdict: Keep

Filip Helander

The injury-prone Swede hasn’t been seen in a Rangers jersey since hobbling off against St Mirren back in April with no likelihood of a return until February at the earliest. Unfortunately, he’s been on the treatment table more than he’s been available which is a crying shame given his qualities. With his contract ending in May, it would be a shock to see him sign an extension based on his injury record.

Contract situation: Expires May 2023

Verdict: Depart

John Souttar

We’ve seen very little of Souttar since signing on a pre-contract from Hearts due to injury. After an unconvincing display in the opening-day win over Livingston, he’s been out since with no timescale as to when he will be back in contention. He signed a deal until 2026 so he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon but you can't help but be concerned that he may spend more time on the sidelines than contributing on the pitch.

Contract situation: Expires May 2026

Verdict: Keep

Ridvan Yilmaz

The big-money signing from Besiktas has seen little game time and, like many others, is currently on the treatment table with a hamstring injury. The Turk has shown his quality in flashes and certainly looks like he could be a very welcome addition. He’s tied down longer than any other Rangers player and despite apparent interest in a loan move back to Turkey, he should see more first-team action post-Christmas.

Contract situation: Expires May 2027

Verdict: Keep

Borna Barisic

The Croatian has been one of Rangers more consistent performers this season, so much so he’s kept Ridvan out of the time for the most part. Having just turned 30, it remains to be seen if Rangers will consider offering him a contract extension but he’ll certainly be at Ibrox until his contract runs out unless a tempting offer is made.

Contract situation: Expires May 2024

Verdict: Keep

Midfielders

James Sands

The American’s 18-month loan spell from New York City FC runs out in the summer and although Rangers have the option to buy the 23-year-old it remains to be seen if he has done enough to justify a fee being paid. A figure of £4.5m was the reported fee being suggested which seems relatively high for someone who is effectively a utility player and not a guaranteed first-team starter. At the time of writing, it would be too much of a gamble to stump up that amount of cash based on what he’s delivered thus far.

Contract situation: Loan expires May 2023

Verdict: Depart

John Lundstram

The Scouser has endured a difficult start to the campaign and has looked a shadow of the player that was dominating matches in the second half of last season. That being said, he’s still one of the first names on the teamsheet and if Rangers can get him back firing again then he’s a terrific asset to have. He spoke recently about wanting to stay at the club for life which highlights just how happy he is at Ibrox. Won’t be going anywhere unless a serious bid is tabled.

Contract situation: Expires May 2024

Verdict: Keep

Ryan Jack

Unfortunately, Jack is one of a number of players who’ve been hampered by frequent injuries and with his contract running out in the summer it remains to be seen if a new deal is offered. I put the question to him recently as to whether he’s held talks with the club about an extension to which he replied: “No I’ve not. Nothing has been spoken about to myself of my agent.

"Right now it’s just about focusing on getting a good run in the team, putting a good run together and consistently playing well. Whatever happens on the back of that will happen. I feel good. I picked up an injury in cup final and that put me out of the Scotland summer camp and then pre-season was a bit slower for me but I feel I’m up and running now and hopefully, I can start showing that with performances."

Given his injury record, you can understand if he was allowed to move on in the summer. However, if he can keep himself fit from here on in then a potential one-year contract or a pay-as-you-play deal could be a wise move given his influence on and off the pitch.

Contract situation: Expires May 2023

Verdict: Keep

Steven Davis

The Northern Irishman has been an outstanding servant to Rangers and when he hangs up his boots he’ll rightly be regarded as an Ibrox great. However, he turns 38 at the beginning of January and he simply cannot be expected to continue going to the well as he has been doing of late. Rangers lack energy and dynamism in the middle of the park and Davis is someone who simply cannot get up and down the park as he used to. Come the end of the season, there should be an amicable shake of the hand and a parting of ways.

Contract situation: Expires May 2023

Verdict: Depart

Scott Arfield

Similar to Davis, he was awarded an extra year on his deal but has been asked to play more often than anyone would’ve imagined given the injuries that have plagued the Rangers squad. He is still capable of moments of magic like the opening goal against Liverpool at Ibrox and he is a hugely popular and influential figure off the pitch but at 34 years of age, Rangers need to be looking to the future and unfortunately, that means it’s unlikely to include Arfield.

Contract situation: Expires May 2023

Verdict: Depart

Glen Kamara

Despite signing an extension last year committing his future to the club until 2025, the Finn has looked off the pace with some suggesting he has mentally checked out. There was interest in him in the summer but a move failed to materialise. If an offer is made in January then Rangers should look to cash in as they aren’t getting anywhere near the level of performance he is capable of.

Contract situation: Expires May 2025

Verdict: Depart

Malik Tillman

The loan signing from Bayern Munich has had an intriguing start to life as a Rangers player. We’ve seen moments of brilliance at Fir Park as well as vital goals against Union Saint-Gilloise and Hearts at Ibrox but there is a feeling amongst many he doesn’t work hard enough for the team. In footballing terms, he’s a baby and this is his first proper season playing consistently so an element of patience has to be factored in when it comes to his performances. Rangers do have an exclusive right-to-buy option with some suggesting the fee to be around £5m. If that is the correct figure then it’s certainly something Rangers should seriously consider. There is no doubt there is talent there and he's only going to improve.

Contract situation: Loan deal expires May 2023

Verdict: Keep

Tom Lawrence

The summer signing from Derby had looked impressive until suffering an injury against Ross County at the end of August. His energy and goal threat have been badly missed since and it’s imperative Rangers get the Welshman back as soon as possible if they are to turn around their fortunes. He’s going nowhere unless a big bid is tabled.

Contract situation: Expires May 2025

Verdict: Keep

Ianis Hagi

The Romanian has been out of action since suffering a knee injury in a Scottish Cup match with Stirling Albion last January. A recent Rangers TV interview suggests he is nearing a return which is welcome news as he has been sorely missed. One can only hope his injury problems will be behind him once he makes his long-awaited comeback and then Rangers should consider entering discussions about a potential extension given he enters his final year in the summer.

Contract situation: Expires May 2024

Verdict: Keep

Alex Lowry

The 19-year-old has endured a difficult season thus far. After an injury-hit summer and being on the receiving end of a horror challenge in a Rangers B team fixture against Dumbarton, he’s been limited to a brief cameo against Ajax. He offers Rangers creativity and invention they’ve been lacking in recent matches and it’s important he gets up to speed for the return to competitive action after the World Cup break. Unless a lucrative bid is made he’s staying at Ibrox.

Contract situation: Expires May 2025

Verdict: Keep

Charlie McCann

The 20-year-old has had a few glimpses of first-team action this season and will be hopeful of more going forward. Big things are expected of the Northern Ireland international and should he feature more in the second half of the season then talks should take place about potentially extending his stay. He and others represent the future of the club so it’s important to tie down these assets.

Contract situation: Expires May 2024

Verdict: Keep

Rangers Review: (Image: NQ)

Forwards

Scott Wright

The 25-year-old continues to frustrate with flashes of good skill littered with poor decision-making. It’s unlikely at this stage of his career that he is going to improve in this area. As much as he’s a decent squad option to have, he is someone Rangers should perhaps look at moving on.

Contract situation: Expires May 2025

Verdict: Depart

Fashion Sakala

The Zambian, like Wright, is someone who splits the support given he is capable of moments of brilliance but also guilty of poor decision-making and execution. That being said, he does offer a lot more than Wright and is a useful player to have around the squad, not to mention his upbeat personality which can only lift players around him.

Contract situation: Expires May 2025

Verdict: Keep

Ryan Kent

As it stands, it seems unlikely Kent will pen a contract extension meaning he will be free to talk to other clubs about a possible move in January. In the main, he has given Rangers sterling service and was a key figure in the heroic run to the Europa League final last season. His form has been relatively poor this term but he has been Rangers most threatening outlet in recent matches. That being said, it looks like his time at Ibrox is nearing an end. Whether the club recoup any sort of transfer fee remains to be seen but they simply cannot allow players who cost £7.5m to walk out the door for nothing in future.

Contract situation: Expires May 2023

Verdict: Depart

Alfredo Morelos

The Colombian, like Kent, is out of contract in the summer and while a new contract may be deserved for the winger, Morelos has done little to justify another lucrative deal. He looks a shadow of the player we all know he can be. It’s a sad demise of someone who has been idolised by much of the Rangers support since arriving from HJK Helsinki in the summer of 2017. He simply isn’t deserving of a new contract and is likely to head off to pastures new at the end of the season if not in January.

Contract situation: Expires May 2023

Verdict: Depart

Antonio Colak

The Croatian has enjoyed a successful start to this Rangers career since signing from PAOK Salonika in the summer. He’s on course to hit 20+ goals in the league this season which is something Rangers have been crying out for for years. He’s contracted until May 2025 with the option of a further year and he’s going nowhere fast.

Contract situation: Expires May 2025

Verdict: Keep

Kemar Roofe

The Jamaican international falls into the same bracket as the likes of Helander and Jack unfortunately in that he’s been unable to shake off niggling injuries that have plagued his time at Ibrox. We’ve seen a brief glimpse of him against Dundee before suffering yet another calf injury. When he’s fit and firing he’s the best striker at the club but he cannot be relied upon. He is contracted until the summer of 2024 so it may be a challenge to find a prospective buyer. If they can do so, then it would be advisable to let him leave to free up what will be substantial wages.

Contract situation: Expires May 2024

Verdict: Depart

Rabbi Matondo

The Welsh winger has struggled since arriving from Schalke in the summer. It was a significant investment from Rangers to bring him to Ibrox and the 22-year-old may prove value for money in the long term but he is nowhere near good enough to hold down a permanent first-team place. He’s contracted until 2026 so it’s unlikely he’ll be going anywhere unless an offer is made.

Contract situation: Expires May 2026

Verdict: Keep

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