STEVEN Gerrard and Ross Wilson have built a strong squad at Ibrox - but as the Sporting Director always reaffirms, the club can never stand still.

In modern football, contract extensions and player retention are vitally important.

Successful blueprints are to be built upon of course - but some of the foundation stones must always be kept in place.

Glen Kamara's new deal was more important than any signing the club has completed this year, for example.

At the end of this season - eight players from the current squad are out of contract.

The Rangers Review puts each individual situation under the microscope. To determine whether or not they will be wearing royal blue next season.

Allan McGregor

McGregor’s remarkable longevity is well-documented – but goalkeeping rotation this season may indicate the beginning of the end.

Jon McLaughlin featured heavily in the opening eight games of last season too – but this term the selection appears more intentional.

Robby McCrorie’s involvement in European ties - and impressive Old Firm debut - also further points to succession planning.

Last season was one of the best of the 39-year-old’s career. His shots faced record clearly shows that without his above-average saves, defensive records would not have been broken.

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This season's shot map is less impressive from a far smaller sample size, while the defence as a whole has been far more unreliable. 

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Presumably, it is not envisioned that McGregor will continue as No.1 next season. How sustainable is it to enter a campaign with your starting goalkeeper turning 41 that January?

However, at present he still appears the choice for the biggest matches. 

Over the next few months as squad selection settles down, the keeper favoured will become evident. But McGregor's age means this season will likely be his last.

Jon McLaughlin

As alluded to above, this season has seemingly featured a more evident intention to start phasing out McGregor.

Given that McLaughlin is entering his prime years as a goalkeeper – it’s realistic to assume he will become the club's first-choice by next season.

READ MORE: Is Allan McGregor still Rangers number one? - Derek Clark

The Scotland international has always performed well for Gerrard and kept an impressive number of clean sheets.

He also enjoyed an above-average record last season as displayed. And on a statistical level is out-performing McGregor this campaign.

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The real test will come when he is trusted with playing in Europe and Old Firms. Whether ahead of McGregor this season or without him next.

At the age he is and given his ability - surely the club will be fully intent on keeping him at Ibrox beyond next summer.

Andy Firth

The life of a third-choice goalkeeper is one of football’s many novelties.

Despite his lack of on-pitch time, Firth has a strong rapport with the Rangers fan base. He does seem to only pop up on RangersTV annually – reacting to his regular one-year contract extension.

But every team needs a third-choice keeper: Look at Lee Grant playing for Man Utd or Scott Carson at Man City.

However, youngster Kieran Wright was favoured on the bench against Celtic in August when McGregor and McLaughlin were unavailable. 

Surely Firth will want to play games? Now 25 and not seemingly in the first-team picture, would he even agree to a new contract given there is no feasible route to game time?

Connor Goldson

Goldson’s ongoing contract situation has rumbled on for months with no sense of imminent closure.

Any fee accepted for the defender in the summer would have shirked in comparison to the rewards of reaching the Champions League - attainable through the Premiership crown this season.

At 28-years-old, Goldson is perhaps at a crossroads. This is likely his last ‘big’ contract.

Either he commits his best years to Rangers – winning more trophies and playing in Europe’s premium competition.

Alternatively, he could be attracted to making a better crack at the Premier League than last time around and signing off after four years in Glasgow in which the tide was successfully turned.

Leon Balogun

Balogun’s start to the season was challenging. The Nigerian’s below-par display in the Champions League qualifier drew much criticism – his response ever since has been mightly impressive.

Thrust in at right-back in the Old Firm, playing with a variation of centre-back partners over September. Balogun seems to ‘get’ playing for Rangers and the demands that come with it. He has the personality to respond to adversity.

His ability to defend high up the pitch offers Rangers variation in defence. Now aged 33, the regular rotation with Fil Helander will likely prolong his career.

Signed on a free - Balogun has been one of the most underrated Rangers signings in recent years and fitness permitting, should have another deal left in him. 

Steven Davis

In Gerrard and Gary McAllister, Davis has two coaches that can fully empathize with a midfield player enjoying a fading but glorious sunset.

Like McGregor, the Davis succession plan has shown roots at the start of this season.

READ MORE: Analysis: Steven Davis' Rangers No.6 role under the microscope

John Lundstram has excelled as the single pivot in matches against Hibs and Dundee. His improvement decreases the over-reliance on Davis that led to such a heavy workload last season. But it also reveals the different roles the Northern Irishman can fulfil.

Against Hibs he was a late 'impact' sub who could bring calm on the ball.

Further - the fact he is still playing for club and country demonstrates he is physically still in a condition to contribute beyond this season.

Another season at the club will depend on his influence in 21/22 - but the signs suggest a reduced role could be an option.

Scott Arfield

Last season Arfield enjoyed a profitable pre-winter spell of form.

He didn't start the campaign in the team but was undroppable for a spell.

However after just 360 minutes in all competitions this season so far, the Canadian seems to need a similar break to justify his jersey.

Arfield’s best qualities are his third-man runs beyond the forward line. Requiring quick bursts from the midfield. Turning 33 next month, can he continue to perform physically to the standard required?

Equally, Arfield is an intelligent player who isn’t as reliant on his physicality as is perceived. Any supporter who has watched his time at Ibrox will have become acquainted with his quick thinking on the pitch.

He is also likely a big earner. With Joe Aribo and Ianis Hagi ahead of him, it doesn't look like Arfield will merit a new deal this summer.

Jermain Defoe

Defoe’s move to the coaching staff this summer answers what next summer holds for him.

The 39-year-old has appeared for just 14 minutes this season. It appears his inclusion as a player is more with a view of necessity than intention.

Defoe will be at Ibrox next summer - but only in the dugout.

Brandon Barker

Unless his Ibrox career undergoes something of a 180, Barker will surely leave the club this summer.

He has made an impact in periods – but ultimately never done enough to command a regular position.

Yet to appear this season a January departure seems the best outcome for all parties. 

Conclusion

While in 2023 a number of profitable assets are out of contract, next summer's retention plan will likely be more dependent on individual campaigns.

Goldson and McLaughlin aside - it would be generally accepted if the remaining six discussed were to depart for a number of reasons in the summer.

But within that number, players will be playing for a contract. Performances will determine if they are merited.