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)
Philippe Clement has made it apparent that changes must be made to the contract situation at Ibrox if Rangers are to advance as a team.
The manager of the Gers attacked Ross Wilson’s heavily defended contract model, saying that it is “not good” for anyone at Rangers as a whole.
According to Clement, “This club comes out of a financially difficult situation.” “Having six players without contracts means they have no value to sell, so you have to decide whether to keep them or not, which is not ideal.”
As things stand, only Leon Balogun is expected to receive a new contract offer from Rangers, thus Clement is well aware that five prospective first-team players are leaving the squad without receiving a contract this summer.
Making needless disruptions at Ibrox season after season, Philippe Clement will need to make some significant choices heading into 24/25 if he is sincere about altering the Rangers’ contract position.
Rangers’ player contracts cost them a fortune.
Tens of millions of pounds’ worth of potential talent left Rangers last season, all for nothing.
In their peak, Filip Helander, Ryan Kent, and Alfredo Morelos might have brought Rangers a total of £30 million, but the team passed on the high-profile interest.
Rather, all of these players left on a free agent, casting doubt on the idea that the Rangers have ever been sincere about implementing a workable player trade scheme.
After a year, we find ourselves in a like circumstance.
Borna Barisic, who once had the potential to make us a fortune, will be moving to Turkey with high-earning midfielder John Lundstram.
Over the past three seasons, Kemar Roofe has occupied a costly position on the pay bill but hasn’t made enough of an impact.
It’ll take something ‘miraculous’ for Ryan Jack to be offered a new contract whilst Jon McLaughlin is a guaranteed summer exit.
Four players out of contract at Ibrox
Rangers need to have a stronger degree of mid to long-term planning with the contract situation at the club forcing an overhaul in the squad for the last two summer transfer windows.
That means a decision has to be taken on the four names who are out of contract in 2025.
This includes three homegrown members of the Rangers squad.
Academy graduate Robby McCrorie, who has been linked with a move to Aberdeen, faces a major decision over his future.
Now 26-years-old, McCrorie has struggled for game-time behind Jack Butland.
After time spent as the backup Rangers goalkeeper, the Scotland hopeful needs to find a number one jersey somewhere else.
With a year to run on his contract, if the goalie isn’t going to sign another year then now is the time to move him on.
Then there is one-time Rangers golden boy Alex Lowry.
Breaking through as a teenager there were high hopes for Lowry which were initially extinguished by injury.
After spending the first half of this season at Hearts, injury once again limited the midfielder’s opportunities in the second half of the campaign.
Now, Rangers risk losing a player once tipped for Manchester City for nothing and we either have to commit to the 20-year-old or move him on this summer.
The final homegrown name on this list is Scott Wright, the ex-Aberdeen winger about to enter the final year of his Rangers contract.
Almost quitting the club for Turkey last summer before a deal collapsed, many view the winger’s 33 appearances this season as being part of the problem in Glasgow.
The final player about to enter the last year of his contract is Tom Lawrence.
The Welsh international has seen his two years with Rangers devastated by injury and the jury very much remains out on the albeit talented midfielder’s capacity to make it at Ibrox.
There are doubts that Lawrence has the athleticism to compete at the highest level for Rangers despite having the talent to be an occasional match-winner for the club.
On high wages and yet to prove himself here, Rangers either need to shift the 30-year-old back to the English Championship or put their trust in the player with a new deal.
Otherwise we’re going to lose another potentially sellable asset for nothing next summer.
