The narrative will be the same this summer as it was this time 12 months ago. There will be talk of a refresh and a rebuild, of clean slates and fresh faces. It was the end of an era under Michael Beale and now Philippe Clement believes this will be the end of the cycle at Ibrox.
Ultimately, actions speak louder than words. This has been a campaign that supporters have witnessed far too often and the conjecture won’t wash with those who demand that this close season is a case of out with the old and in with the new.
There will be a focus on what Rangers spend. As ever, it is how the funds are utilised that is the most important aspect, though. Big calls need to be made on big players. Here, the Rangers Review analyses who could go and who could stay as Clement builds a squad in his name and image.
Goalkeepers
Jack Butland (Contract expires 2027)
The Player of the Year could become the saga of the summer. An approach from Nottingham Forest was rebuffed by the club and the player in January but the keeper will be subject of Premier League interest and Rangers’ resolve will be tested. Clement has insisted Butland cannot be sold ‘for any price’. Given the scale of the work required, though, the Belgian may have to cash in on an asset for the greater good and only a fee of around £15million would make Butland’s departure palatable for supporters. Simply, Rangers must be a buying and selling club to progress and no player, Butland included, is excluded from that fact.
Robby McCrorie (2025)
In some respects, it has been another wasted season for McCrorie. He is good enough to be a first-choice keeper at this level but a Scottish Cup outing at Dumbarton was his only appearance. For the sake of his aspirations for club and country, it's likely he moves on unless promised the gloves in the event that Butland heads south of the border.
Jon McLaughlin (2024)
Hasn’t played since February last year and spent the season doing drills in training and helping with the warm-up on a matchday. At 36, he still has seasons left in him, but they won’t be at Ibrox.
Kieran Wright (2025)
Signed a new contract last term that ties him to Rangers until next summer. Has had a series of loan moves, most recently to Livingston this season, and another departure seems on the cards unless he is promoted to third choice as part of the keeper reshuffle.
Defenders
James Tavernier (2026)
The future of the captain is the single biggest decision that Clemet has to make. A contribution of 24 goals and 12 assists from 56 appearances shows his worth to the side and the squad but supporters have debated his position like never before in recent weeks. Has reaffirmed his commitment to the club amid reported interest from Steven Gerrard. It would surely take a mega-money effort from Saudi to convince Clement or Tavernier that he should leave just one season short of an Ibrox testimonial. However, Saudi sources insist a move for Tavernier is possible.
Adam Devine (2025)
A nine-minute run-out against Morton was the right-back’s only contribution for Rangers. Devine made 11 appearances during a loan at Motherwell as he got much-needed game time under his belt. Clement must now decide if he merits a return to Rangers.
Connor Goldson (2026)
The situation with the vice-captain falls into the same category as that of his skipper and talk of a switch to Saudi to be reunited with Gerrard continues to murmur. Like Tavernier, it would be a major call for Clement to dispense with the services of a stalwart of the squad and a significant presence on and off the park. Defensive reinforcements will arrive this summer. If Goldson is part of the plans, he will surely not be guaranteed his spot going forward. Like Tavernier, sources in Saudi suggest a move could be on the cards.
John Souttar (2026)
The search for positives from this campaign is a short-lived one but Souttar can be satisfied with his efforts overall. The Scotland international has recovered from a nightmare debut campaign to feature 41 times in all competitions, mostly on his unnatural left side of the pairing. At 27, Souttar is entering his prime years and looks to have done enough to keep his place in the squad.
Ben Davies (2026)
Returned to the team in the closing stages after Clement was left short of options. Stoke City were interested, alongside other Championship clubs last season, but the defender's wages at Ibrox proved a stumbling block. Those appearances almost summed up his Rangers career, though, and there wasn’t enough there for supporters to really get behind. A season of just 15 appearances should be his last at Ibrox.
Leon Balogun (2025)
His second stint has brought 18 outings and a League Cup medal. It has, it seems, been enough to earn the 35-year-old an extension to his contract and he would be a reliable back-up option for Clement to have at his disposal.
Leon King (2026)
It feels like it may be time for King and Rangers to go their separate ways. Has rarely looked like fulfilling the promise he showed emerging through the ranks and has played a total of 90 minutes in a campaign that has passed him by. Clement has utilised the defender in multiple positions but his start against Dundee was King's first in a year.
Borna Barisic (2024)
The end of the road has been reached. In terms of value for money, Barisic stands as a sound bit of business and he has played his part in some major moments since being recruited by Gerrard six years ago. The low points have tarnished his reputation to a degree and an exit to Trabzonspor makes sense all round.
Ridvan Yilmaz (2027)
Talk of a return to his homeland coincided with a run of form that was his best in a Rangers jersey. The last weeks of the term highlighted the downside, though, and questions over his fitness are hard to shake off. The 23-year-old is an asset in the market and Clement must decide whether to stick or twist after the arrival of Brazilian full-back Jefte. Sources close to the player insist his upturn under Clement is no coincidence with the Belgian playing a big role in Ridvan's improvement, especially tactically, since arriving in October.
Robbie Fraser (2024)
Is out of contract after signing a one-year extension last summer, but a full debut on the final day of the season won't have harmed chances of a renewal. Clement reiterated the importance of youth in the rebuild after a 5-2 win over Dundee, namechecking Fraser in the process. Made his first start against Hearts on the last day of the Premiership season but will be a back-up at best if he signs on again.
Midfielders
Dujon Sterling (2027)
One of the few to emerge from this term with real credit in the bank. An improved contract is a possibility given his rise from back-up right-back to first-team mainstay. Needs to nail down a permanent berth after a season of filling in across defence, midfield and attack, with the centre of midfield Sterling's likely slot moving forward. Has admirable physical and technical attributes and should go from strength to strength as one of the mainstays of the group next season.
"We've been s**t!" 💩
— The Rangers Review (@RangersReview55) April 18, 2024
Dujon Sterling makes blunt Rangers assessment after recent collapse.
▶️ Watch in full: https://t.co/C3k9OIlfHG pic.twitter.com/Fp8eaLtS2A
John Lundstram (2024)
That goal against RB Leipzig stands as the finest moment of Lundstram’s career. On the flip side, he was part of too many failures to leave a real Ibrox legacy. An extension was possible earlier in the year before the midfielder's form dropped in line with the rest of his team. Clement was keen to keep him early on in his tenure but fans will be pleased to see him depart, even if it is on a free.
Ryan Jack (2024)
Another season of what might have been. On his day, he is still an accomplished operator and an effective performer. Long spells out through injury and just 22 appearances are the obvious negatives and he is out of contract ahead of the European Championship.
Nicolas Raskin (2027)
This wasn’t the second season that many expected it to be for the Belgian, especially after the arrival of his countryman in the dugout. A solid showing against Celtic was a reminder of what he can do but the bar must be raised once again if he is to establish himself in midfield. Raskin was viewed internally as a major coup when signed in January 2023 given strong interest in his services. Although, stylistically, there's been some contrast between his playing style and Clement's Raskin remains an asset that should be part of Rangers' rebuilt squad.
Mohamed Diomande (loan ends 2024)
One of the bright sparks of the second half of the campaign. Rangers have committed to a £4.5million fee to make his move from FC Nordsjælland permanent and it looks like money well spent. Although a midfielder wasn't top of the January wishlist when the prospect of signing Diomande arose, sources suggest this was a player too good to turn down. Can play a variety of midfield roles and fits the player trading model. Nils Koppen had been aware of Diomande from his spell at PSV. He was also a player that the Ibrox club had been tracking for some time, ticking boxes across a variety of scouting categories.
Jose Cifuentes (2027)
There were high hopes for the Ecuadorian after a prolonged pursuit saw him move from Los Angeles FC. Never looked suited to Scottish football and Rangers will hope that Cruzerio activate their purchase clause after a January loan exit.
Cole McKinnon (2025)
Showed up well in the fixtures with Benfica and Hibernian but had to wait until the win over Dundee to feature again. Next season could make or break his Ibrox aspirations.
Kieran Dowell (2026)
Limited to just 16 appearances as injuries curtailed his campaign. Another Beale buy that didn’t work out. A return to England looks on the cards and would be the best course of action all round.
Todd Cantwell (2026)
Has made headlines for the right and wrong reasons at various stages of the season. Some supporters are appreciative of what he brings to the team, while others believe he flatters to deceive. Clement has publicly spoken of the need for a fully switched-on Cantwell, who can then make the difference consistently. On his day no-one questions Cantwell's capabilities but the jury remains out as to whether Clement can bank on him over the course of a campaign.
Tom Lawrence (2025)
Form and fitness questions continue to be asked about Lawrence. Did have some good moments in the season but was well off the required level in the Old Firm encounters. A player that numerous sources credit on and off the record as one of the squad's best technical players, the issue is Rangers fans have not seen his ability enough on the pitch. His wage could make an outgoing transfer a sticking point but Lawrence has simply not played enough since joining in the summer of 2022.
Forwards
Rabbi Matondo (2026)
Spectacular strikes against PSV Eindhoven and Celtic were a sign of his quality but his consistency is still a concern. The Welshman didn’t have a clean bill of health over the campaign, either. Still just 23 and Clement must weigh up if he can hit the heights required or not. Has improved under the new manager and could feasibly be back-up next season.
💬 "A really fit Sima or Matondo will finish off one of those chances for sure."
— The Rangers Review (@RangersReview55) May 25, 2024
🗨️ "It's about rebuilding the squad and the staff around the team, making sure it can't happen again that we have 12 injuries at the same time."
📺 Watch: https://t.co/lDIFBK0Dl3 pic.twitter.com/RRlQlebmWc
Ross McCausland (2027)
A dream debut season ended with 40 appearances, four goals and six assists. He also signed a new long-term contract and forced his way into the Northern Ireland setup. More than deserves his place in the squad and Clement has spoken well of him this term.
Oscar Cortes (loan ends 2024)
The Colombian looked bright after arriving on loan but he then succumbed to the Ibrox injury curse as his campaign was prematurely ended. Fits the right profile for Rangers and would be a worthwhile recruit if the numbers add up. Negotiations are ongoing to make that happen.
Scott Wright (2025)
Looked to be heading out of the club last summer but went on to feature in European ties, Old Firm fixtures and cup finals. If the level of the squad is to rise, the squad players must be better. Now is the right time for the winger to leave but as last summer demonstrated, that transfer is easier said than done.
Alex Lowry (2025)
A loan switch to Hearts looked like being the kickstart for a fledgling career but it didn’t go to plan for Lowry. Returned along the M8 in January and injury ruled out another exit to get game time. Has a lot to prove in a short space of time now.
Ianis Hagi (2026)
The knee injury that Hagi sustained against Stirling Albion didn’t just curtail his Rangers career, it has all-but ended it. His father, Gheorghe, has often spoken about the playmaker returning to Ibrox and re-establishing himself but a low-key loan at Alaves hasn’t exactly seen him stake a claim.
Abdallah Sima (loan ends 2024)
The loss of Sima in January was perhaps the biggest blow that Rangers suffered in injury terms this season. He ended the campaign with 16 goals to his credit, although the one that was disallowed in the Scottish Cup final will continue to anger many. His future depends on Brighton. The Seagulls will set the price for his services and there will be few supporters who would be against a return to Ibrox for the Senegalese forward.
Fabio Silva (loan ends 2024)
The on-loan Wolves star arrived in January with a big reputation and the price tag from his switch to Molineux still acting as a weight around his neck. Silva has shown flashes of his talent but rarely looked like a £35million forward in the Premiership and five goals was just not enough of a return to justify the outlay. It was a bold move that didn’t quite work. Sources close to the player insist he's enjoyed working with Clement, even if much of the forward's loan spell has been spent covering injuries out of position on left midfield. Although in March the possibility of Silva staying at Ibrox was mooted that ship appears to have sailed.
Sam Lammers (2027)
Few could have predicted the fall and rise of Lammers. Heralded as one of the most significant parts of the Beale blueprint, the Dutchman struggled for form in the first months of the season and returned to his homeland with his confidence shot. To go on and score 11 times in 20 games for Utrecht is remarkable and Rangers could now look to make a profit on a deal that seemed a sure loss-maker. Utrecht are desperate to keep the forward but are not alone in their interest.
Kemar Roofe (2024)
The highs of the 55 campaign seem such a long time ago. Two goals – one against Ross County and the other in the historic win over Real Betis – were all that Roofe could manage this season as he was limited to just over 700 match minutes. A new deal was never on the table.
Danilo (2028)
The first 21 appearances of Danilo’s Rangers career delivered 11 goal contributions. The knee injury he sustained at Tynecastle stopped him in his tracks and denied Rangers the services of a £6million forward. Once he is fit enough, Clement needs to get him firing. The forward generated so much excitement in his services for a reason. Next season must be the time to see returns.
Cyriel Dessers (2027)
The numbers tell some of the story of the season for Dessers and he deserves credit for finishing with 22 goals to his credit. His performance levels fluctuated widely, though, and he became a target for a frustrated fanbase at various stages. He has shown he is physically robust and mentally tough enough to survive at Ibrox but Clement must determine whether the wages and fee tied up in the Nigerian can be put to better use. Dessers is believed to be very happy in Glasgow and intent on improving in his second season.
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