THE Steven Gerrard era at Rangers has been one of evolution rather than revolution and the next phase of that process will be completed in the coming weeks.

Every transfer window has three segments. There are those that Gerrard signs, those that he allows to leave and those that he cannot afford to lose.

In terms of the first part, Rangers have once again done their work early and proficiently and that looks like paying dividends for Gerrard this season.

The signings of Jack Simpson and Scott Wright in January were smart moves as they were given time to settle into Rangers and adjust to life at Ibrox, both on and off the park.

While Simpson has yet to really convince thus far, Wright has enjoyed a bright pre-season schedule and has progressed further, both physically and technically, ahead of his first full campaign under Gerrard’s guidance.

Simpson’s former Bournemouth team-mate, Nnamdi Ofoborh, arrived six months later than the defender after returning to Wycombe for the second half of the Championship season.

And this term has unfortunately had a false start after medical tests flagged up a heart issue that will require the midfielder to spend time on the sidelines.

Whilst that is undoubtedly a blow for Ofoborh and Gerrard, the health and wellbeing of the 21-year-old is clearly of paramount importance and he will bide his time before looking to make an impact at Ibrox.

The two main acquisitions this summer have come in the shape of John Lundstram and Fashion Sakala. If they go on to produce what Gerrard is confident they can, they will be testament to the theory that it is not what you spend, but rather how you spend it, that is important.

Signed on a Bosman from Sheffield United, Lundstram could become one of the best bits of business done in Scotland this summer and the way in which he has slotted into the Rangers midfield has rightly excited and enthused supporters ahead of the new campaign.

At 27, the Liverpudlian is in the prime of his career. Gerrard may not be short of central options at present, but Lundstram has a box-to-box dynamic that others don’t possess and his ability in both defensive and attacking phases ensures he brings something new to the party.

The same can be said of Sakala. Gerrard described the striker as a diamond that needed to be polished in the aftermath of the win over Real Madrid but spoke enthusiastically about Sakala’s desire to take information on board and to put in the endeavour required to improve himself.

That eye-catching debut against Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed what Sakala can add to the team. Like Lundstram, he is not a direct replacement for anyone in Gerrard’s ranks, but instead provides a different option given his direct running and relentless work ethic.

The work in securing Lundstram and Sakala was smart from Rangers and is testament to the planning that is now in place thanks to Gerrard and Ross Wilson. They are undoubtedly upgrades on those – namely Bongani Zungu and Greg Stewart – whose places in the squad they have taken and both will have resale value in the coming years.

That process of moving on unwanted players has been a continuous process since Gerrard arrived at Ibrox. It was firstly the remnants of previous eras that had to be cleared out, but now he is dispensing with those who he brought in that ultimately haven’t made the cut.

The sale of George Edmundson to Ipswich Town was the latest move in that regard and others will now follow as the squad is trimmed and finalised before the close of business this summer.

Jordan Jones is attracting interest from south of the border and an exit would be the best outcome for all parties in that situation. Brandon Barker, Glenn Middleton and Jake Hastie all fall into that category too, while decisions must be made on the likes of Robby McCrorie and Stephen Kelly.

Even in terms of being squad players, Rangers are now operating at a higher level and those three aforementioned forwards are not going to displace Wright, never mind overhaul Ryan Kent in the Ibrox pecking order.

Rangers are no strangers to doing deals to remove fringe players from the wage bill and those manoeuvres will be important in the coming weeks to free up wages. There is no need to keep bodies just for the sake of it when there is no chance of them making their mark.

Supporters will wish them the best and bid them farewell, but there are a handful who fans feel have to be retained. That is where Rangers will be tested now.

Whether it is Borna Barisic or Glen Kamara, Alfredo Morelos or Kent, Rangers will receive approaches that are unwelcome sooner rather than later. Nobody will want to see a good player leave, but there is an acknowledgement that the time, and the money, could now be right.

Rangers, of course, have been here before. They were able to stand firm 12 months ago when suitors came calling for Kent and Morelos and are in a position of strength that ensures they do not need to accept the first offer that lands on their desk this time around.

The work to bolster the squad is almost complete and the efforts to trim it should prove successful sooner rather than later for Rangers.

Time will tell how the third component – the one which sees them fend off interest in their key men – can be judged. This time around, the caveat of selling, but at the right price, comes into play when rating the work of Wilson during the summer of wheeling and dealing.

The evolution will continue at Ibrox. The ins and outs to date have Rangers well placed, now the next comings and goings will determine how strong Gerrard’s side and squad will look as the champions defend their title.