Seven first-team players at Rangers are free to engage in dialogue with prospective employers from New Year’s Day - and as contracts of expensively acquired assets dwindle, clarity has been in short supply.
The headline act amongst the group contemplating a scenery change is Ryan Kent. Michael Beale’s creative spark, the club’s most costly outplay in recent years, is six months away from embarking on a fresh challenge. A new deal may still materialise, but the possibility of the Englishman departing for zilch - before his prime - increases with each passing day.
Kent was once subject to prolonged interest from the English Premier League. Rangers adopted a commendable hard-line stance in negotiations, yet failure to persuade the winger to extend his contract has left the Ibrox club vulnerable. The 26-year-old has his detractors, often unfairly, and there is little doubt Beale would relish the opportunity to work with a player he admires beyond the current campaign.
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Alfredo Morelos, the club’s record European goalscorer, is also entering the final throes of a long-term contract. Similarly to Kent, Rangers had the opportunity to sell the Colombian when his stock was high, but a much-mooted move to a big league never materialised. Indifferent form and questionable commitment over a prolonged period have seen his value plummet, and his performances do not merit a new deal on improved terms. This season, for the first time, Morelos has lost unconditional support from the terraces - and a January move would suit all parties.
“We need Scottish players,’’ was a standout quote from Ross Wilson at the club’s AGM earlier this month. The Sporting Director was referencing the requirement to develop homegrown talent and recruit locally for European competition - and his comment indirectly increased the likelihood of an extension for Ryan Jack. If new contracts were awarded purely based on on-field contribution, the midfielder would have little concern regarding his future. He has, though, missed 118 games in five and a half seasons, and continuing to persevere with an injury-troubled 30-year-old is unlikely to lead to a satisfactory outcome.
Scott Arfield's role has diminished in recent months. He has become more of an impact player, as highlighted by his dramatic double salvo at Pittodrie last midweek, and his willingness to dart beyond forwards remains his trademark. With Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence nearing returns - and the emergence of Alex Lowry - the former Canadian internationalist will find his game time further limited, and a natural parting of ways should occur in May.
Inadequate succession planning and sentimentality hindered last summer’s recruitment drive. This season has proved to be one too many for Allan McGregor and Steven Davis. The pair are club legends, but both will wave goodbye in spring. Filip Helander, a £3 million arrival from Bologna in the summer of 2019, will also be allowed to leave. The Swede has had a torrid time with injuries, appearing just 11 times over the last 18 months.
Rangers will benefit from the qualities of Malik Tillman - on loan from Bayern Munich - until the end of the season. The gifted 20-year-old can lurk on the periphery yet embellish matches with his ingenuity. His future is bright, his ceiling is high, and activating his option to buy clause would be a sound investment - if he continues to improve in the months ahead.
James Sands is another player on loan until the end of the season. The versatile and unassuming American is the consummate professional, filling various roles in defence and midfield without complaint. Being shunted around has hindered his hopes of earning a permanent transfer, and he should not remain beyond the end of May.
As it stands, a third of first-team squad members are due to leave the club at the end of the season - and only Kent and Tillman should be aggressively encouraged to remain. Rangers have needed a refresh for some time, a reboot is overdue, and the January window should introduce change ahead of a summer rebuild.
