GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
After a late leveller against Celtic ensured Rangers held on to their own title destiny, two Scottish premiership stinkers have seen them hand it back to their bitter rivals.
A 3-2 defeat in Dingwall to Ross County was made worse by a goalless draw against Dundee at Dens Park, crushing the comfort fans had taken from having a game in hand. Now Philippe Clement’s side need to do what they’ve failed to do all season and beat Celtic while hoping someone does them a favour during the final five games of the season.
You didn’t have to be a master lip reader to tell how the supporters who travelled to Tayside felt after full-time on Wednesday night. The Sky cameras panned from one furious fan to another, who didn’t hold back in letting the Light Blues have it as they made their way off the park. At that point, they’d probably have been quite happy never to see some of them in a Rangers shirt again.
That may well be the case for several come the summer. For all the credit banked after reeling in Celtic, Clement will have serious concerns after watching his men surrender their title advantage during the business end and that may well have confirmed his thinking when it comes to who to keep around next term.
Record Sport looks at who is most at risk ahead of what could be yet another summer rebuild in Govan.
John Lundstram
The Scouser is the biggest name out of contract in the summer and discussions have been ongoing over a new deal for a few months now. Namechecked by Rory Loy as one of three who have played a part in repeated title failures, a change of mentality will be one of Clement’s priorities and new thinking requires new faces. With reported interest from Turkey and England, Lundstram leaving may be more likely than not.
Connor Goldson
The centre back has been a stalwart over the years and the shock announcement that he’d penned a two four-year deal in summer 2022 was welcomed by fans. However, Goldson has been one of the main culprits not producing in recent stumbles and another two years is perhaps looking excessive in hindsight. For many, he simply does not attack the ball enough.
Ryan Jack
Another whose deal is up this summer but has spent more time on the treatment table this season than on the park. He’s keen to stay and was hopeful that talks would happen at some point, although it now looks like he’ll be heading for the exit door given his increasingly bit part status.
Cyriel Dessers
The Nigerian has been much maligned since his summer signing from Cremonese. He looked to have found a modicum of form after Clement’s arrival and his numbers are decent. But too often, Dessers doesn’t deliver in the big moments and the chances he isn’t taking are becoming more vital than the ones he does. Has played given a lack of other options but a new no. 9 will high on the wanted list this summer.
Kemar Roofe
More than one person has described Roofe as the best finisher in the building at Ibrox. But getting him out of the building and onto the grass has been the issue throughout his time with the Light Blues. A fully fit Roofe could well have made the title difference, but at this stage it’s not the version of the 31-year-old fans are going to see much of. Out of contract in the summer and very likely to move on.
Fabio Silva
The one-time £35million pound man hasn’t lived up to that lofty billing. The Portuguese has shown flashes of ability but isn’t the goalscorer you can hang your hat on in a title race. His antics against Celtic may have paid off with a penalty, but didn’t win him many admirers in general. Will return to Wolves in the summer and another Rangers loan next season doesn’t look likely.
Borna Barisic
It seems Barisic leaving has been suggested for the last few seasons but this time, it looks like actually happening. Ridvan Yilmaz, when fit, is Clement’s preferred choice at left back. Barisic is out of contract this summer and there’s little sign of an agreement to keep him beyond then. Interest from home in Croatia and in Turkey means his Ibrox stint is will almost certainly come to an end.
Leon Balogun
Rejoined Michael Beale on a one-year deal after a brief stint at QPR, the 35-year-old was only ever a short-term backup option. A popular member of the squad and generally seen as reliable, is nonetheless the most obvious candidate to depart.
Rabbi Matondo
Looked like being the man to keep the title dream alive with a stoppage time stunner against Celtic. But the Welsh winger hasn’t managed to nail down a regular starting place during his two seasons at Ibrox. That’s three managers now who have used him as a squad player and it’s difficult to see that changing. The right offer in the summer could suit both parties to call it quits.
Sam Lammers
The lightning rod for criticism over Michael Beale’s summer splurge. Lammers didn’t look an inch the £4million man brought in from Serie A and was shipped off to Utrecht by Clement when the opportunity presented itself. Has been breaking club records back home and staying put next season is the screamingly obvious option to suit everyone, even if it’s another loan.
Danilo
The third member of the pricey attacking trio Beale hoped would fire Rangers to title success. Looked like the most successful prior to injury, which has robbed him of a sustained run in the side to really show his worth. Not being a Clement signing will mean there remain some question marks, but more likely to get at least the first part of next season to establish his credentials.
Ianis Hagi
It’s easy to forget the Romaninan is still a Rangers player. A long injury lay-off has been followed by a season-long loan at Alaves, where he hasn’t exactly set the heather alight. Has constantly been linked with a move to Galatasaray to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Despite denials from Ibrox, it seems inevitable at some point – the timing will depend on if Clement likes what he sees when Hagi does return to the fold.
Jon McLaughlin
The rarely seen goalkeeper is now behind Robby McCrorie in the pecking order and with his contract ending in a few weeks, is nailed on to be leaving Ibrox. Whether he ends up first choice elsewhere or calls it a day remains to be seen.
Kieran Dowell
Just 15 appearances in all competitions this season since signing last summer, Dowell is another of the inherited Beale additions. Injury has played a role, but there doesn’t seem to be an obvious role for him in this Rangers team with others ahead of him in the pecking order. That may change over the summer but those coming in will be the boss’ own picks…
