With just a few months of the season remaining, there is plenty at stake, on and off the pitch at Ibrox with contract negotiations set to have a massive impact on the shape of the squad for Michael Beale’s first full campaign in charge.

Those talks are dominated by the ongoing uncertainty over the futures of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, with both key players enjoying a fine renaissance under the tutelage of Beale and the team displaying more flair, verve and a distinct personality than when this season began.

The boss, publicly, is confident to let it be. For the players to do their talking with their feet and for the rest to take care of itself. That is a simplistic way of viewing the situation but in the media, Beale is keen to, and has, largely presented an image of astute management in regard to two players with whom he has a fine working relationship.

Here is where it gets tricky, life gets in the way. As football consumers, supporters, journalists, pundits included, very few get to see what goes on inside and what makes the players tick. This is particularly prominent when it comes to contract negotiations and futures at stake.

There is so much involved including families, aspirations and feelings, that transcends status and wealth, yet the football and finances involved will have a pivotal impact on decisions that are made.

READ MORE: Managing Rangers’ Nico Raskin: 'He brings fire to games on his own'

The personal situations of Kent and Morelos are quite different. One is plying his trade a few hours from his family background in the north west of England whilst the other has been away from his native Colombia and South America since his career odyssey took him to an unlikely outpost in the form of Finland back in February 2016. Now, seven years later could it be that Morelos wants a taste of something more familiar, including a more favourable climate in southern Europe or maybe even a full return across the Atlantic? There is a strong case to be made.

As for Kent, he will have offers on the table given that he is a talented player and definite asset for any potential new club. At 26, he should soon be approaching his peak and will be able to command a hefty remuneration package to reflect that. Can he do enough to attract a Premier League offer or will he receive a handful of tempting continental overtures?

Then there is the Connor Goldson perspective, that the grass isn’t always greener. Family satisfaction and that intoxicating intensity of life at Ibrox, with the need to win is what kept the Englishman at Ibrox with the signing of a new deal, when all appeared said and done.

"You look at the people who have left the club – are they happy?”

"My wife said to me, ‘you could have more money but are you going to play?’ She knows what I’m like when I don’t play. She was settled in Glasgow, the kids are settled.”

The central defender continued, "I don’t think I could now play for a team that wins once every three, four or five games. I just don’t think I could mentally take it because I lose or draw a game here and it’s like the end of the world.”

Michael Beale recently stated that he sat down with a group of mostly familiar players and asked them, 'Where are you at?' Following one league title and relative European success, the need for more and a hunger to thrive is essential if the likes of Kent and Morelos are to remain. Then there are important Scottish figures, essential for UEFA quotas, like Jack and Arfield with similar themes apparent.

Football, form, finance, feeling and family, there is much more to these contract negotiations than what meets the eye.