It'll be an emotional night of goodbyes at Ibrox but Rangers look set to give their supporters a glimpse into the future too with a new face.
Michael Beale knows he needs to overhaul his Rangers team after finishing this term without silverware, and big hitters in Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander will leave this summer when their contracts expire. That has been confirmed prior to this evening's penultimate Premiership battle with Hearts but Beale has set tongues wagging over a first official signing of his summer makeover being announced.
He told the BBC on Sunday after beating Hibs 3-1 that 'one might be announced on Wednesday at Ibrox so there’s another reason for people to maybe come along and see us.' It's unlikely to be Malik Tillman, with talks over making his loan from Bayern Munich permanent not happening until next week. But who could this mystery man be? Record Sport takes a look at the names in the frame.
Jose Cifuentes
One you would probably put in the outside bet category. Record Sport revealed this week that the Ibrox side hope to seal a deal with the Ecuador star over the coming days, with the LAFC midfielder out of contract at the MLS club this winter. With their season ongoing, not to mention a lengthy flight, it would be moving heaven and earth stuff to have the scarf above his head in Glasgow for this evening. Unless they plan on beaming him onto the big electronic boards at Ibrox over Zoom, again, not an odds-on bet.
Jack Butland
Beale has played it cryptic when it comes to the Crystal Palace goalkeeper. It was on and then it was off as the financials of this deal appeared to come into play, but it was then reported Butland had shown willingness to fit into the Ibrox wage structure. Now the Rangers boss has said the club 'will announce a goalkeeper in the next 10 days or so' and 'it is pretty much done.' While 'Butland is still an option', Beale claims the media 'are on a wild goose chase and you are getting further away.' So this rumour in particular is shrouded in mystery that will conclude in the next fortnight it would seem, one way or another.
Kieran Dowell
One that has been talked up for a long while now. The departing Norwich City playmaker is likely to be one of the favourites for being announced, as his release from Carrow Road has already been confirmed. He has struggled with injury at English Championship level this term but has displayed his talent in glimpses with Everton and the Canaries, with Beale likely hoping for a similar success to his last import from Norwich, Todd Cantwell.
Dujon Sterling
There's an Ibrox unveiling on the way but one star has already been shown around the facilities. Record Sport reported earlier this month that right-back Sterling had been given a tour of the Auchenhowie training complex and had been to Ibrox for a sneak peek. The Chelsea right-back has already agreed terms following the conclusion of his latest loan at Stoke City and looks primed for an announcement soon.
