Kenny Miller believes Rangers shouldn't cull all of their senior players at once, after manager Michael Beale confirmed he is hoping to trim his squad in the summer.
Experienced quartet Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor and Steven Davis are among a lengthy list of stars out-of-contract at the end of the season, with their Ibrox futures uncertain. Beale has brought in Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell as he looks to build for the future but ex-Gers striker Miller wouldn't be surprised if McGregor carries on playing for another year despite being in his 40s because having that level of experience in the dressing room can be invaluable.
Writing in his Daily Record column, Miller said: "The biggest calls are: Which of Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor and Steven Davis do you keep? And the other: What do you do with those bought for big money who aren’t playing like Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz? Deciding there’s no Jack, Arfield, Davis or McGregor is a huge call and I’d be reluctant to let them ALL go.
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"When it’s down to squad numbers, Michael maybe just keeps two and I still think McGregor must be one. He’s 42 next January but it’s just another year. It won’t make any difference - trust me. You can’t put a price on what he and Davo bring to the club with their presence from Monday to Friday around the dressing room.
"McGregor is still No 1, the manager has stated that himself. Although the position has been rotated, if there’s a Cup final tomorrow I know who’ll be between the sticks. It’s him. There’s been chat about replacements but those are big gloves to fill. When the big saves need to be made, he’s still there to make them. He’s one of those invaluable to Michael because he can be trusted to drive your message and have the right standards in the thick of battle out there where the manager can’t influence the guys as much.
"I know fans would say: C’mon, we’ve got to move on. But the contract would reflect what stage of the career he’s at. Neither he nor Davo is going to be on the bigger contracts of those in their prime. Michael works with them day in, day out so knows what they contribute to his environment, his culture. Jacko is an interesting one. When fully fit, he still has lots to offer. He’s been at the club six years and over the course and distance.
"Through the tough start with Pedro Caixinha, the whole Gerrard era including a title, with Gio to Seville and a Scottish Cup where he scored the opening goal. Is he in the same mould as McGregor or Davis? Not at the moment. But he could be that guy in the future if they were to move on. You’d then look at guys who’ve been in the dressing room a while like Connor Goldson, James Tavernier and Jack for your leadership.
"The big thing is getting him fit for most of the season. That will definitely reflect on the type of contract they’d be able to or prepared to offer. Ryan will also have suitors. Being 30 and coming out of Rangers on a free, after everything he’s achieved and the level of games he’s played, would make him a really good signing.
"I’m sure there will be teams at the top end of the Championship in England or even abroad who’ve seen him perform in Europe. But I know he will want to stay at Rangers. I’d like to think his time hasn’t run its course. Of the six I’ve mentioned, if you’re picking a team to face Celtic right now then Davo is injured.
"But Kent, Morelos, McGregor and Jacko probably would start. Scotty Arfield would definitely be involved at least in coming off the bench with experience to give you a goal or a calm head. Listen, it can’t go on forever, I get that. But if there are too many personalities and characters leaving the building at the same time, it’s not easy in this day and age to replace that."
Miller also reckons Rangers might have an issue offloading fringe players such as Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz. The Light Blues spent over £5million on Yilmaz from Besiktas, who was expected to be Calvin Bassey's replacement, however injuries and lack of form have resulted in the Turkish international making just seven appearances.
"Michael might want to bring in four more quality players but may have trouble moving on others and is going to have to find solutions. I’m not talking top end performers; I mean guys not getting a game for Rangers," Miller continued. "Yilmaz and Matondo have cost good money and Rangers won’t be getting that back as it stands. Yilmaz is nowhere to be seen and doesn’t look any closer to the team now than when he signed.
"Yet you can’t just let that situation dwindle away after spending around £5m on him. So maybe a loan that recoups his wages and gets him and Matondo back playing again is the option to start with. You’re up against it trying to recoup a transfer fee. And given those haven’t worked out despite a heavy outlay, are Rangers really going to pay £6 million for a permanent Malik Tillman move?
"Michael isn’t short in that department after getting Cantwell in and Ianis Hagi fit. Michael likes Kemar Roofe but we all want to see him have a run of games. I fear we’ll be here in 12 months debating what’s going to happen with him in the final year of his contract. That sums up how much of a minefield the recruitment game and squad-building can be."
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