Here is everything Michael Beale said in his press conference ahead of facing Hearts. 

Contributions of the five players confirmed to be leaving Rangers this summer… 

Individually? Excellent. Collectively, we are losing a lot of experience from the group and quality. Allan (McGregor) is a hall of fame member now and he’s been a fantastic servant to the club in two periods and showed a lot of class as a goalkeeper. We’ve not had Fil for a long time due to injuries but he was a big signing for the club. The partnership he built with Connor Goldson was probably the foundation to the league winning season - he’s been a big loss. Scott Arfiled pulled on the heartstrings big time because, as a man and a person, he’s been fantastic round the place. He’s adored by the fans as well, not just his teammates and staff - that was an amicable conversation between the two of us around playing time, new players and what Scott needs. It was a difficult decision but one I believe is right for all parties. Ryan Kent’s contribution has been fantastic for the club, especially in big matches when you think back in Europe and domestically. This season hasn’t gone how Ryan wanted but he’s been an excellent player for Ryan. For the outlay on Alfredo (Morelos), he’s had an outstanding contribution to the club. European top goalscorer, player of the year last season and he’s had a stop start season. Their contribution to Rangers has been huge. We will help Steven through his long-term injury and rehabilitation to full fitness. Then a decision will be made by Steven on whether he will continue playing or not. That one is separate from those five but it’s a sad day in many ways. I’m sure the fans will show their appreciation tomorrow night as they’ve made big contributions to the club but it’s a sign of big changes this summer. 

READ MORE: Ryan Jack on Rangers exits, new contract and Michael Beale trust

Were Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos offered the chance to stay? 

Neither have been offered a contract since I came back in November. There may have been discussions before that with Ross (Wilson) and Gio (Van Bronckhorst) but it’s been important for them to focus on football since I’ve been here. I came in at a time when the team wasn’t performing well on the pitch, we parked some of those conversations earlier this month and then it was confirmed that we think it’s right for all parties to look for something new. We all seemed to be on the same page and both boys needed a new environment to get back to their best because I don’t think it’s been their best season. I think over time their contribution to Rangers will be looked on very strongly. 

Did your mind change at any point?

Not really, no. My relationship with both boys is super positive, but looking at the job when I came in - you have to say things in the mix of the season. Our conversations were always on the same page. 

There’s places in the squad to fill, how excited are you about the summer? 

They’re big gaps to fill but it gives people a fantastic opportunity. Alfredo was the only one we inherited into the project with the other five buying in and seeing the club move to a healthier place since 2018. There will be important players coming in to fill those roles and it’s important that I give them no shadows around them. They get the opportunity to come in and be main players, that’s an exciting time for us and the fans as well. 

Any updates in terms of incomings - you teased an announcement on Wednesday? 

It’s been ongoing in the background for the last two or three months. You’ll start to see some announcements now but I think it was right to do it this way. We’ve had games to play and it’s important that we allow fans to show their appreciation to the players leaving. Once that’s been done it will allow us to announce some exciting new players coming in. 

Jon McLaughlin and Scott Wright are under contract, do you see them as part of your squad next season? 

There’s a few players in the squad that I’ve had conversations with about their futures. I wouldn’t pick their names out as specific ones, there’s other players in the squad who want to know where their futures lie in terms of minutes and in the grand scheme of things. It wouldn’t be right to name certain names. 

Was there any point that you thought about keeping Scott Arfield? 

Only selfishly on my part but then you have to live the reality of it. He’s a key player and gives energy to his teammates but he needs to feel involved and have a significant involvement - I can’t promise him that. 

Injury update? 

We’ve a few players coming back into the squad: Barisic, Morelos, Kamara, Colak, Wright and Matondo. They are all returning to training today but I need to see where they are physically and make a decision. The three games in a week isn’t ideal for players like Souttar, who hasn’t done that in a long time, and other players coming back from injury. We will rotate over the next two games. 

It’s a big game for Hearts….

If you start naming those players and they go in the team then you can’t argue if Rangers are weaker. We were missing 12 or 13 players at the weekend and put in a really strong performance. It’s a big game for Hearts but we are unbeaten at Ibrox in the league and we want to make sure we do that. In recent seasons, it’s only happened in the year we won the league and it’s our last game in front of our home fans. They’ve been with us through thick and thin this season and it’s important that we keep going. 

Can you give a ballpark number on the amount of players who could leave this summer? 

No, because I’m a manager of a football team so some people need to be here or I’d have nobody to coach! There’s no ballpark number, we want to reduce the number of players in the squad and we want to re-energize in terms of age and people’s motivation. It’s a fantastic club to sign for and I’m looking for players with real energy to come in. 

Malik Tillman future latest? 

The conversation between the two clubs is still ongoing and there is a call planned for after the weekend between the two. It was nice to see Malik win an award again at the weekend for his fine contribution this season. 

Morelos legacy? 

He was probably the third choice striker when he arrived at the club, so he’s gone on to do something fantastic for a young boy to arrive here from so far away. Against Porto and Feyenoord he was at a fantastic level and even last season in the key games in Europe - he was excellent. It’s up to others to judge but for the amount we paid for the boy, his contribution will be looked back fondly.