It’s been a painful end to the season for a squad that is long at the end of its cycle.

The manager has called it but now he has to carry through that message. This can’t be a rebuild in which the senior leadership group survives. It also can’t be a rebuild where sentiment plays a part in decision-making. There is too much baggage, too much doubt and more importantly there is too much evidence to support the ripping up of this squad. 

The time for change has come and the time for change is now.

The rebuild can’t allow one or two to survive, this has to be a total clear out of a squad that has failed time and time again.

Allowing John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, Jon McLaughlin and Kemar Roofe to leave is a very easy place to start. All five are out of contract so it's a case of shaking their hands and moving them all on. But they should be followed out the door by Connor Goldson and James Tavernier.

That’s how vital a proper clear out it is in the summer. That’s not to mention others in the squad who won’t make it or aren’t robust enough consistently. Tom Lawrence, Kieran Dowell, Ridvan Yilmaz, Ianis Hagi, Sam Lammers, Jose Cifuentes, Ben Davies, Cyriel Dessers... the list is endless of those that ought to see the Ibrox exit door next summer.

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It’s a massive job.

What’s more important is this has to be the last. Trace this column back and you will see the same thing being said at this point in the last two seasons.

We still have a cup final to look forward to, or more likely endure, because unless there is a miracle then it's more than likely it will be one last final lost by this cohort. I feel sorry for the manager but I felt sorry for Gio and Michael Beale when the group downed tools at key junctures and I was convinced both would get it right.

Arguably I’ve seen more from Philippe Clement to be positive but with just 15 points from the last 30 available, he's not immune from blame. However, at the same time if I suspect this squad needs to be emptied then how is the manager supposed to achieve anything? That's the reality of the situation. 

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Injuries haven’t helped, it has been beyond chronic, we can only hope the manager can fix it. Upgrades are promised but like the squad, we have heard that before. It's time for action over words.

There are some crumbs of comfort in the current squad but it's only a handful. Nico Raskin, Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and a few others might be rehabilitated with better quality around them because we can’t rip everything up. The manager has a huge issue getting the balance right in seeking change this summer.

Fans' tolerance of failure is now at rock bottom and their tolerance of watching the same old movie stars fail them is also at its lowest. Quite simply, we have had enough.

Tynecastle summed it up. Go behind, go ahead, miss some sitters, throw it away, include personal and collective mistakes coupled with some defensive nonsense and it’s the story of the season.

And it’s a tired film that no one wants to see again. This has to be the final showing.

Make the changes Rangers - and don’t do it half-heartedly.