Russell Martin will gather some members of his Rangers squad together for the first time on June 23, already having preconceived ideas about who should go and who should stay.
He will offer some the chance to change his mind and earn their place, but a significant turnover is expected as Rangers regroup and rebuild once again with Champions League qualifiers kicking off in just over a month.
With so much change ongoing at Ibrox, many situations remain fluid. Here's what we know - presented on a player-by-player basis - about the squad as things stand.
Goalkeepers
Jack Butland
Can a keeper of Butland’s profile – a high earner, experienced, big presence – be consigned to the role of number two? In a word, no. If Butland isn’t Martin’s first pick, then it suits all parties for a summer exit. Having lost his place at the end of last season and not known for his work under pressure in possession, the odds seem stacked against Butland reinstating himself long-term at Ibrox.
But can Rangers can find a buyer? The days of Butland being approached by Premier League clubs seem a long time ago, as does Philippe Clement's assertion that he was unsellable this time last year.
Martin needs and wants his keeper to be adept with the ball at his feet. The man with the gloves is not just the last line of defence; he is the first line of the attack. That is not Butland’s strength, and it would be a big call to ask the Englishman to play that style of football.
Liam Kelly
If Martin is looking for a goalie who is comfortable on the ball and can play his part stepping off his line to make passes, then Kelly is a more obvious fit. That was one of the immediate differences that supporters noticed when Kelly came into the team last term. Is he a Rangers No.1, though? Kelly admitted himself when he returned to the club last summer that he was expecting to fulfil a supporting role.
That night against Athletic Club stands out, and he didn’t have any howlers in the 13 matches that he played. Kelly is one of the few who fulfilled their role in the last campaign. He will back himself, but while the former Motherwell captain is expected to stay in the building, that will likely be in a supporting role again.
Mason Munn
The Northern Irishman marked his debut with a clean sheet in the Scottish Cup win over Fraserburgh and was the regular third keeper in the matchday squad throughout the campaign until an injury late in the season. A highly-rated product of the academy, Munn signed a new deal until 2028 last summer.
It would seem unlikely that he can push himself into the No.2 berth at this stage. A loan to get games under his belt is a strong possibility.
Rydnn McGuire
Yet to turn 17 and having attracted Premier League interest, McGuire is highly rated, like Munn. The Rangers Review reported last month that Arsenal, Everton and Ipswich Town were tracking the keeper. Whatever Rangers do in the goalkeeping department this summer must reflect the talent of both of their young keepers.
Defenders
James Tavernier
It has so often been about the numbers for Tavernier. Last term was far from his most prolific as he contributed just five goals and 13 assists, but he still notched up 53 appearances in a campaign that could have seen him phased out of the side. Once again, Tavernier proved that he was more robust than his challengers as Dujon Sterling’s bid for the right-back slot faltered. On occasion, he even filled in at centre-back. Indeed, more than one source has suggested the player himself sees his long-term role in that position.
The 33-year-old is now in the final 12 months of his contract and will mark his tenth anniversary at Ibrox next month. He is not expected to make a move away.
Given how Martin has spoken about him, suggesting there is no reason to find a new home for the armband, Tavernier's status remains much the same this term as last.
Dujon Sterling
It will be some time before Martin has a chance to see Sterling in action and to determine what he can bring to the team. The Achilles injury that was sustained against Athletic in April will keep the Englishman sidelined for several months. However, those with knowledge of the situation are hopeful he will play football this year, with October a loose timeline for his return. The 25-year-old is due to visit the consultant who performed his surgery this week.
He is flexible tactically and positionally, a powerful runner and comfortable on the ball. He has a lot of attributes that Martin would appreciate. However, like his captain, could those minutes long-term arrive at centre-back, not full-back? Much depends on whether Rangers recruit another right-back during this window, which is anticipated.
John Souttar
It was a consistent campaign, both in terms of performances and availability, for Souttar and he could be pleased with his individual fortunes. He now has another manager to impress after working under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson in the three years since he arrived from Hearts.
Souttar is in the final season of the contract that he signed, and gave little away when asked about his future in the closing weeks of the term. At 28, he has some value in the transfer market and Rangers cannot allow him to run down his deal and potentially leave for nothing next summer.
He is the best centre-back on the books right now. That does not guarantee him a starting place next time out, though. His position is not a pressing matter, but Martin must decide how much he really values Souttar amid a strong interest in Connor Coady and a wish to strengthen the heart of the defence.
Robin Propper
His game is not suited to Scottish football and his signing can only be categorised as a failure. Reports that a deal with FC Twente had been struck are premature but the Rangers Review understands Propper will be allowed to depart after just one season at Ibrox, with a move back to the Eredivisie most likely.
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The club are likely to move for two centre-backs this window, with Tavernier and Sterling capable of converting across, although much can depend on what happens in other positions. For example, will Martin look for a right full-back comfortable inside the pitch, meaning Tavernier and Sterling must compete for minutes across the defence?
Clinton Nsiala
The night at Rugby Park that ended prematurely was a harsh lesson in life at Rangers for Nsiala. He never really recovered and the closing weeks of the campaign felt like a missed opportunity in more ways than one.
Ferguson’s short-sighted approach – understandable but also useless - to his interim stint hindered Nsiala. There were games that he could have started and minutes that he could have earned that would've helped Kevin Thelwell and co determine the Frenchman's role in this campaign. His ball-playing ability and preferred spot on the left side of defence will help his cause, and should suit Martin's football.
Ben Davies
Will attract interest after a strong season at Birmingham but on big wages, and now 29, the club will need a buyer to take those off their hands. Due to report back for pre-season after a season at St Andrews.
Leon King
Entering the final year of his deal after a short loan stint at Queen's Park, a move appears likely if the club can find a buyer for the academy graduate. Will hope to try and impress Martin in pre-season, but it feels as if that chance has gone.
Ridvan Yilmaz
The words ‘reports in Turkey’ have been written in conjunction with Ridvan’s name almost as often as ‘injured’ during his time in Glasgow. That perhaps sums up where he is as a Rangers player and why he should be allowed to move on, should money be put on the table.
That was the case in January, but Rangers opted not to cash in at that stage on a loan-to-buy offer from Besiktas - a descision backed by then-manager Clement. The Rangers Review understands the left-back is not pushing for a move, and a source close to the player insisted he was focused on completing the two years left on his deal at Ibrox.
The decision could well be taken out of his hands, however. He is not robust enough to handle the demands of the domestic and European calendar and is an asset that Rangers can cash in on and recycle the funds.
Jefte
The Brazilian ended the campaign as he started it. In the first few games and the final few games, he showed his athleticism on the left flank and delivered well-placed, difficult-to-defend crosses into the box. For most of the matches in between, those qualities were not shown often enough. The impressive moments provide enough evidence to suggest that there is a player in there, one that can flourish in the right environment.
The plan on his arrival last summer would not have been for Jefte to make 52 appearances in his debut season. He had to learn on the job, and he had to learn quickly. Originally signed to challenge Ridvan, very quickly the 21-year-old was one of this side's relied upon figures. Only Tavernier played more minutes across all competitions last season. The full-back would benefit from an experienced, reliable operator to study and to challenge him. He can still get better and be a success story for the scouting network.
Robbie Fraser
The left-back spoke exclusively to the Rangers Review in April as he outlined the benefits of his loan move to Livingston. He was a regular in a term that ended with promotion being won via the play-offs and victory over Ross County. If David Martindale wishes to retain him, Rangers will not be hard to deal with.
Midfielders
Connor Barron
A Scotland debut in his final minutes of the campaign was a just reward for Barron’s efforts over the course of the season. That had been one of his aims when he moved to Ibrox and he fulfilled the ambition against Liechtenstein. Now the former Aberdeen midfielder must set new targets to try and reach in what could be a testing second season.
Barron was asked to take on a lot early on in his Rangers career. While those around him had questions to answer over their form and their fitness, he was a steady, if unspectacular, presence in the middle of the park. He lost his place later in the term but could still be satisfied with his efforts overall, and the European experiences in particular should prove beneficial as he looks to raise his levels once again.
Lyall Cameron
At 22, Rangers are not investing in a finished article in Cameron. They are, though, buying into a player with plenty of potential. A return of 14 goals and nine assists for a Dundee side that found themselves at the wrong end of the Premiership for so long speaks volumes and he should now improve in a team that is more dominant with the ball and more forward-thinking in its style.
Rangers have lacked guile and goals from the middle of the pitch for some time and Cameron offers a potential solution to that problem. He will be working under a manager who did not sign him and in a structure that did not identify him but that won’t faze a player who made his Dundee debut at 16 and who arrives at Ibrox with more than 100 games under his belt.
Bailey Rice
In some ways, last season felt like another that almost passed Rice by. He had been talked up by Michael Beale at the start of the previous campaign and then backed by Clement. Ferguson spoke about how he had not developed as quickly as he should have done, but insisted that he had the attributes to be a Rangers player.
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Ferguson showed his faith in Rice by starting him against Athletic Club. It could be argued, though, that the 18-year-old should have been given more opportunities in Premiership fixtures that had little jeopardy attached to them. His 16 appearances brought less than 700 minutes of game time.
Rice is not quite at a make-or-break moment in his Rangers career, but with his contract expiring next summer (talks opened earlier this year over an extension, although events have overtaken all else at Ibrox in recent weeks), there would be no time like the present for him to properly establish himself at Ibrox. If a new contract is signed, a loan deal has been discussed previously. Again, much will depend on Martin's early impressions of the player.
Nicolas Raskin
The mindset seems to be slowly shifting from whether Raskin will sign a new contract to how much Rangers will be able to demand in a transfer fee. A season that started with another injury setback in a friendly with Ajax ended with Raskin adding to his international experience with Belgium.
His progression, especially in the second half of the term, was rapid and his value to Rangers, both on the park and on the balance sheet, has never been higher. He benefitted from Ferguson's guidance in those months.
Raskin represents a quandary for the football department. In an ideal world, you build the team around a midfielder who has become an established operator, who has shown his levels domestically, in Europe and for his country. There is firm interest in the Premier League (previously reported suitors, Porto, seem to have cooled their interest), but talk of offers in the region £20million are believed to be overly ambitious.
A player trading model is only effective when big decisions are made and the bigger picture is assessed. Does Raskin stay, perhaps for only one more year, to be built around, or is this the opportune moment to sell?
Mohamed Diomande
There are moments where Diomande looks a class above. There are others where he flatters to deceive. The Ivorian has been an accomplished presence in European matches but has not always taken that form into domestic encounters. Too often, the approach utilised, especially by Clement, did not play to his strengths.
Under a manager who wishes to dominate the ball and play through the thirds, there is every chance that Diomande could really thrive. He could well be a midfielder for Martin.
Interest from Everton earlier this month came as no surprise. Diomande’s potential is clear. The positive for Rangers is that he still has plenty of time - a further three seasons - left on his contract and there is no pressing financial need to sell.
It feels like one more season at Ibrox - hopefully a more productive domestic campaign and another term of European action – would really benefit Diomande. He could have his pick of potential suitors and Rangers will be looking at a tidy profit on their £4million investment.
Jose Cifuentes
The result of a long transfer chase just two summers ago, Cifuentes is expected to report back for pre-season after Aris decided to not enact their purchase option following his loan deal. Isn't expected to have a place going forward.
Nedim Bajrami
A return of five goals and five assists was not exactly what Rangers had in mind when they paid Sassuolo around £3million for Bajrami last summer. It's understood the instalments agreed on that deal made the transfer favourable enough, however, from the club's point of view. The Albanian was the final arrival of the window and his deal was not announced until the final minutes.
A goal in Malmo got him off to a good start but those early flashes of his technical ability soon faded. Some have pointed to the fact that in big games he has performed well, but he did not respond as some senior staff hoped to losing his place in the team. It is more than possible that Bajrami will move on this summer if Martin doesn't deem him central to plans.
Kieran Dowell
Like Davies, he is entering the final year of his deal after time on loan, winning promotion at Birmingham and is due to report for pre-season. Another who has a value that Rangers could cash in on.
Ross McCausland
The Northern Irishman found himself behind one of the most consistent performers in the squad as Vaclav Cerny made such a significant impact and impression following his arrival from Wolfsburg. That said, McCausland didn’t exactly challenge the Czech. Cerny was asked to go again and again, firstly because of his obvious quality but also because of the lack of support options behind him in the pecking order.
With two years left on his deal and aged 22, for McCausland's own good, games are important. Another season playing as the supporting cast is also possible.
Findlay Curtis
Curtis didn't really get an opportunity after agreeing a three-year deal in January. The 18-year-old, more natural off the left but also able to play from the right, has been a standout at youth levels. Now he must do what so few can - bridge the gap to the first team.
A loan move is believed to have been discussed for the No.52 in order to aid that step long-term. With wide options so limited in the short term, circumstances would dictate when that happens.
Oscar Cortes
It is now 18 months since Cortes first arrived at Ibrox and Rangers still do not know how good he is or how good he can be. The decision to commit to another loan and a £4.5million fee was questioned last summer after an injury-hit first few months and Cortes is now the stick that is used to beat the recruitment department with.
The Rangers Review understands that Colombian has arrived back for pre-season early this week in order to prepare as best as possible. It has not been lost on anyone during this ordeal that Cortes arrived in Scotland with a clean injury record. Luck has not been on his side.
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He was fit for the closing weeks of the season after an injury-hit campaign. During that run, Ferguson continually overlooked him and hinted that he was not doing enough in training to merit game time. He lasted just 45 minutes at Pittodrie and got ten minutes in each of the matches with Dundee United and Hibernian.
To say this is a big pre-season for Cortes – and for Rangers – is something of an understatement. It is also a fresh start for a player who sources suggest has the technical ability to succeed here, but needs a run of confidence and, crucially, a clean injury bill.
Rabbi Matondo
Rangers will also need to find a buyer for a player who has spent far too much time on the treatment table since moving to Glasgow in 2022 and spent the second-half of last season on loan in Germany. Hasn't justified his £3million fee or wages.
Attackers
Danilo
The coming weeks will determine if Danilo will be a key part of Martin’s squad or will become an unwanted asset that Rangers will look to move on. The Brazilian’s time here – after a £6million move during Beale’s summer in charge – has been hindered by significant injuries to his face and knee.
Of late, he has struggled for form rather than fitness and he has been unable to force his way ahead of Cyriel Dessers. At 26, his best years should be in front of him. Across December last year, we finally saw a run of matches in the team, the longest since his move from Feyenoord, as he clicked well with Hamza Igamane. If he is to move on this summer, it is more likely on a loan, or loan-to-buy basis.
Hamza Igamane
The true level of the Moroccans’ potential is still unknown. If suitors come to the table this summer, that is what they will be buying into. The Rangers Review understands that Strasbourg are one of the interested parties - alongside Lens, Lille and Rennes - who have been keeping close tabs on a player that scored 16 goals in his first season at Ibrox.
Of all players at the club that Rangers could sell for profit this summer, Igamane appears the most likely at present. The 22-year-old is exciting and unpredictable. Supporters would be loath to see him leave, given how much promise he has and what he could still bring to this team but a tenfold – or higher – profit and a substantial sell-on fee represents a huge win for the recruitment team that was headed by Nils Koppen, the former technical director.
Cyriel Dessers
Once again, Dessers is the name on the lips of the support. How often has he been spoken about in negative terms after missing chances and failing to perform? Yet how often has he been the hero, the man who has stepped up and heard his ‘nice one, Cyriel’ chant emerge from the stands?
Dessers is an enigma. He is also an asset. Strikers that score goals – and, yes, he should have scored more than he has – will always be worth their weight to any team.
Reports that the 30-year-old is set for an imminent move to AEK Athens and that a fee has been agreed are wide of the mark at present, despite interest. A deal may develop in Dessers, who has two years left on his contract, but it is premature to state he will definitely be Athens-bound. He is crucial in a football sense and if he was to be sold then Martin would need to be as sure as can be that his replacement will be as robust and reliable as the Nigerian international.
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