They're performing together for the remainder of this season but Michael Beale is making up a new Rangers band for next term.
The Ibrox manager has revealed he believes his Light Blues squad is too big and will look to perform a summer makeover, with numerous players out of contract, away from the club on loan and more seeing game time limited. He took over as manager from Giovanni van Bronckhorst last year and has already signed Nicolas Raskin plus Todd Cantwell, with a pursuit of Swansea City's Morgan Whittaker eventually failing.
A goalkeeper will definitely be on the agenda with Allan McGregor now 41 and neither Jon McLaughlin nor Robby McCrorie being able to dislodge him permanently, and there are other senior stars who will be pondering what comes next for them in their career. With all that in mind, Record Sport takes a dive into who Beale could look to cull in the summer.
Allan McGregor
We'll work our way from goalkeeper through the rest of the squad. Beale said in the January window he will be targeting a new No.1 in the summer. As mentioned, McGregor is past 40 now and was widely expected to call it a day last season, but he has carried on as No,1 this term for the most part. But at this stage, every season he does play if any going forward will be debated as potentially his last. He’s almost certainly to stop playing but could there be a coaching role at the club?
Jon McLaughlin
Could McGregor's deputy also follow him out the door? Number three Robby McCrorie is viewed kindly in the camp and while he's 25 next month, is unlikely to leave on a permanent basis. A door has to open for him sooner or later to continue his progress towards a potential No.1 berth and that could mean McLaughlin makes way. Beale has said he rates McCrorie.
Filip Helander
The Swedish defender has spent this season injured as his fitness problems show few signs of letting up. It's been a luckless period for him and with his contract up in the summer, it’s likely he will be allowed to go – despite Beale’s positive words about the centre-back a few weeks ago. The manager did say in January he wanted a new centre-back so with John Souttar fighting his way back from injury, game time could well be limited for the 29-year-old.
Mateuz Zukowski
Arriving as cover for James Tavernier last January, it hasn't worked out for the Polish right-back and he's now at Lech Poznan on loan. With Adam Devine's emergence, chances of a future in blue look slim for the 21-year-old. Expect him to feature on a "Remember him listicle" at some point in the next few years.
Steven Davis
A modern day legend is another heading for the exit. Davis is a highly influential figure in the dressing room but an ACL injury at 38 could prove hard to come back from for the midfielder, but he's determined to give it his best shot.
Again, like McGregor, don’t rule out a coaching role for this veteran who has played such a big part in Rangers’ recent history.
Ryan Jack
There could be a real change in terms of the experienced pros at Ibrox. Jack is another out of contract and has been involved more regularly recently after some niggly injury problems. He’s 31 later this month and showed what he can still offer in Rangers’ Viaplay Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen when he was named man of the match. But is the odd fleeting top display going to be enough for Beale?
James Sands
He's on loan from New York City with an option to buy but whether they activate that like they'd be keen to do with Malik Tillman's Bayern Munich deal is another question. Highly unlikely given the £4million-plus fee it would take. The versatile midfielder has rarely featured under Beale and is expected to return to America during 2023's MLS season.
Nnamdi Ofoborh
Ofoborh is still waiting to make his debut at Rangers after a heart condition discovered soon after his arrival in Glasgow. He is contracted for another two years but he's now been out for a substantial amount of time with updates on his progress few and far between. None of this is his fault, of course, but if fitness allows, he’d be better trying his luck elsewhere.
Alex Lowry
Is it time for the academy product to go and get some regular senior experience? The playmaker was rumoured to be a loan target for several clubs in the January transfer window and limited minutes next term could see him leave for a temporary challenge to test if he's up to the Govan challenge.
He has loads of ability but is it enough for the Rangers first team right now – especially as Beale wants to take the club to another level? We’ll soon find out.
Ben Williamson
Out of contract in 2024 but loan club Dundee made a move to try to sign him permanently in January. Struggled at Scottish Premiership level with Livingston but has continued development well in the Championship at Raith Rovers and Dens Park.
Scott Arfield
The final midfield pick in what could be a real summer overhaul area. Now 34, Arfield has still made an impact as an option from the bench this season but his presence in starting XI's has diminished, starting on seven occasions in the league and being subbed into play 13 times. He’s also out of contract in May.
Ryan Kent
A player Beale knows well and one he'd no doubt like to keep, Kent is out of contract and a player of his quality will definitely have suitors. But the pair's connection from back in their days at Liverpool could prove key to keeping him – as Beale strongly hinted at in his RangersTV interview on Wednesday night.
Alfredo Morelos
Another of the headline names out of contract. Morelos' Rangers future has been well-documented but the general consensus that his time may be up has shifted slightly after an upturn in form under Beale. But his deal also expires this summer and it’s highly likely Rangers will take the hit on the prospect of landing a big transfer fee for him.
Kai Kennedy
The winger has been linked with an ambitious move to America at Tampa Bay Rowdies. On loan at Falkirk currently and another all but likely to be looking for a new home.
Josh McPake
It's a similar story to the above. A promising academy winger who's had more than a few loans away from Ibrox at this point, Rangers may part company with McPake permanently this summer after his loan at Queen's Park ends. Deal doesn't end until 2024.
Kemar Roofe
Beale knows how big a player Roofe can be for Rangers but how often he has him is another question. Striker has picked up an injury-prone tag and there could be a look at cutting ties to get a more reliably-fit option. He has another year on his contract, though, so the rest of this season is going to be big for him.
