So Kevin Thelwell is the man Rangers have appointed to oversee this summer’s rebuild.
The Everton sporting director has been lured north of the border for a similar job as the Ibrox club’s new American owners get set to make their mark.
It’s been clear to me for a few weeks now that Barry Ferguson has been limited to working with a small group of players who he can really trust.
The rest of the Rangers squad are simply not up to the manager’s required standard.
It’s Thelwell’s job now to move those men on and unearth the fresh recruits who can begin the process of dragging Rangers back to the top of Scottish football.
So here are the players I believe can still play a part next season – and those I think might need to be moved on for my old side to avoid another year in Celtic’s shadows.
KEEP
JACK BUTLAND – I know the big man’s had a difficult year but he was outstanding in his first season at Ibrox. He’ll know now that he has a genuine challenger for his No1 jersey given the way Liam Kelly has performed since getting his chance. I expect to see a big reaction come pre-season.
JOHN SOUTTAR – For me, the Scotland defender is one of the most important players at the football club. We’ve seen in Europe his bravery at the back and I think he’ll be vital to the new manager’s plans next season.
NIKO RASKIN – I find it incredible the little Belgian found himself completely out of the picture a few months back under Philippe Clement but I fully expect whoever comes in as the team’s new boss to identify the midfielder as the lynchpin he builds his team around. For me, he’s the main man moving forward and all offers should be rebuffed.
JAMES TAVERNIER – The skipper divides opinion but I don’t think the Rangers fans will truly appreciate him until he’s gone. As captain, he’s become a lightning rod for all the criticism this team gets but with his incredible goal-scoring numbers, he still has a lot to offer.
OSCAR CORTES – Rangers are due to pay £4.5million for the Colombian this summer and to be honest, I have no idea if he’s worth it or not due to the length of time he’s been out injured. Given there’s an obligation to buy him from Lens, it looks like Rangers are locked in. They’ll just have to suck that up and hope he can fulfil the potential they saw when agreeing to pay such a hefty fee.
CONNOR BARRON – The former Aberdeen kid is a player I like. While he’s not really the type to be playing the killer forward passes, his work off the ball can certainly complement team-mates who offer more in possession.
CLINTON NSIALA – Had some good moments and a couple of ropey ones. With a bit of coaching he could be a bright prospect.
DUJON STERLING – If versatility is Dujon’s major strength, his weakness is his vulnerabilities to injury. A fully committed player who sadly seems to break down every time he’s getting into a decent form. I’d be willing to take a chance and hope he makes a strong recovery from his latest Achilles tear.
LEON BALOGUN – At 36, the big man certainly isn’t getting any younger. But his athleticism in defence is key when Rangers want to push up and press opponents high. Unless a ready-made replacement can be found, I’d keep him another year – even just for the big games in which he seems to thrive.
LIAM KELLY – Has snatched Butland’s place in goal and certainly hasn’t let the team down. I really believe he now has a chance to prove in the final five games of the season that he should be first-choice next season.
BAILEY RICE – Rangers are looking to tie the young midfielder down on a new deal and I can see why. Has tremendous potential and so elegant on the ball. Needs games but it will be tough for Barry because starting the teenager means dropping a senior pro.
VACLAV CERNY – It looks like Rangers are going to have to dig deep to get the Czech ace. But if the club is willing to pay £4.5m for someone with Cortes’ potential, why not pay £6m for someone almost guaranteed to be a success? Cerny has been the team’s best player by a mile this season and so long as he’s committed to the project, I’d have him back.
SELL IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT
RIDVAN YILMAZ – The little Turk has struggled with inconsistency. He’s been brilliant going forward but with his lack of size means he’s easily targeted. If a decent bid comes in, Rangers should try to recoup the £3.4m they spent on him.
CYRIEL DESSERS – With almost 50 goals across two seasons, the frontman’s numbers are fantastic, but with the benefit of hindsight, looking back to the situation with Alfredo Morelos, reluctantly, I’d listen to offers in order to claw back some of the money spent on him.
MOHAMED DIOMANDE – Another player I really like but I’m conscious of the need to sell when the time is right. Rangers missed out on big fees by hanging on to the likes of Morelos and Ryan Kent. The new owners will be looking for some fresh income to take the sting out of FFP rules, so for me selling Diomande this summer makes sense if a big enough offer comes in.
JEFTE – Has good pace attacking but has a tendency to switch off at times at the back. That’s cost the team four or five times this season.
HAMZA IGAMANE – Like Diomande, Rangers need to be prepared to cash in when a player’s value is at his peak and I sense that time is coming with the Moroccan. He was red hot for a few weeks but has cooled lately. If an English team decides to take a punt on his potential, it could be a lucrative deal for Rangers.
ROSS McCAUSLAND – Burst onto the scene last year but he’s suffered from second-season syndrome when the expectation levels on you as a kid suddenly leap up. I had it at Falkirk but was allowed to find my feet again by managers who gave me the chance to play my way back into form. Unfortunately playing at Ibrox means the pressure is magnified. It’s hard to know if Ross will get the game time he needs to get back to his best.
TIME’S UP
ROBIN PROPPER – A nice, tidy footballer but it looks like the 31-year-old Dutchman finds the pace of Scottish football all a bit too frantic at this point in his career
NEDIM BAJRAMI – Another who has shown flashes of his ability but nowhere near consistently enough. The game here just looks a bit too physical and fast-paced for the Albanian.
TOM LAWRENCE – Out of contract this summer and likely to leave. Another player who has been plagued by injuries at the club. I think Rangers will look back on this signing as a missed opportunity as he certainly does offer something different with his long-range shooting. Unfortunately, Tom never got the run of games needed for the fans to take him to their hearts.
IANIS HAGI – He’ll be a big miss with his technical ability. I could never work out which of his feet was his strongest. Ianis can not only strike a ball as well with his left foot as his right – as we saw at Pittodrie last week – but he can dribble off both sides with equal ease. But with his deal expiring after a wages wrangle at the start of the season, it’s probably time for a parting of the ways.
DANILO – Had a bright spell last year but considering the fee Rangers paid for him when he arrived from Feyenoord, I think the fans will have expected more. Injuries haven’t helped but he looks like he could do with a fresh start elsewhere.
