Rangers are set for major changes off the park as takeover talk ramped up a gear this midweek.
And on it, Barry Ferguson could be forced into sweeping changes with four big names missing and doubts surrounding a few others.
The Ibrox faithful are keeping more than a close eye on developments with the 49ers as they start dreaming of what is to come.
But for the moment, it is all about the here and now, and while there may not be too much on offer to play for from the outside looking in, interim boss Ferguson has other ideas as he targets five wins and has officially thrown his hat in the ring to be boss.
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‘It saddens me’ – Rangers star LEAVES club without chance to say goodbye and claims he ‘wasn’t afforded opp… Jonathon Moar 4 – 5 minutes He’s vowed to return to the club in the future Published: 9:50, 20 May 2025 Updated: 9:50, 20 May 2025 IT’S going to be a summer of big changes at Rangers. And one long-serving star has confirmed he’s on his way OUT of the club this summer. Rangers players celebrating with the SPFL Premiership trophy. 3 Leon Balogun won the Scottish Premiership title with RangersCredit: The Sun Leon Balogun of Rangers applauding at a football match. 3 He appears to have played his last game for the clubCredit: SNS With the US takeover of Rangers close to completion, a new sporting director in place and a new manager on the brink of being appointed, it’s going to be all things change at Ibrox. Alongside the off-field changes, there’s likely to be a significant amount of upheaval with regards to the playing squad as well. Loan star Vaclav Cerny already appears to have said his goodbye while other players’ contracts are coming to an end. One of those is veteran defender Leon Balogun. READ MORE RANGERS STORIES A popular figure with players and fans alike, the Nigeria international will turn 37 next month. He initially joined Rangers from Wigan in 2020 and went on to be a part of the side that won the Scottish Premiership title under Steven Gerrard in 2021. Balogun’s deal expired in 2022 and there was considerable surprise that he wasn’t afforded a new one. After a season with QPR, he returned to Rangers in July 2023 on a one-year contract. Despite injury setbacks and his advancing years, Balogun continued to prove himself a consistent and reliable performer. He earned another one-year contract but it looks like a third year will NOT be forthcoming. Kris Boyd says Rangers players were in SHOCK that ‘ghost goal’ against Hibs wasn’t given Balogun – who stated his desire to stay at Rangers just last week – appears to have confirmed his exit in an emotional message. The lengthy and frank post on social media also sees Balogun bemoan the fact he doesn’t believe he was afforded the opportunity to say a proper goodbye – going so far to say it SADDENS him. The defender, who has declared himself a Rangers fan, vowed ‘not to be a stranger’ in the future. On Instagram, Balogun said: “It’s that time again. “No caption could summarise all that is going through my mind as I’m writing these lines. “It’s been nothing short of an honour, a pleasure and a great, great privilege to represent this massive club – twice! “So many memories, good ones as well as a few tough ones. “But it’s the latter especially that made my love for the club grow even stronger. “The moments when we all stuck together and went again – no matter the disappointment or frustration. In these moments the club revealed what makes it most special: YOU. “The people supporting us week in week out, near and far, demanding, expecting, pushing us to do better and go for glory. “The people working for the club behind the scenes, meeting us with a smile everyday, doing their absolute best to contribute to the success of the club in their own way. You’re the heartbeat of the club and it’s been an honour to represent you! “If I would have known that the last two games of the season were my last for the club I would have made sure to say goodbye to all of you accordingly. “Unfortunately I wasn’t afforded that opportunity which saddens me as I would have liked to have walked round Ibrox one last time and returned all the love and support you’ve given me during my 2 stints. “I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I promise I won’t be a stranger. “Thank you for making me feel at home and appreciated wherever we met. “You’ve become more than just my club, you’ve become family. “And for that I will be forever grateful.” Read more on the Scottish Sun Rangers’ search for a new manager, meanwhile, is nearing a close. SunSport exclusively revealed last night that Steven Gerrard and Russell Martin are the two candidates going head-to-head to become the next Light Blues boss. Soccer player Leon Balogun in uniform, applauding. 3 Balogun posted his goodbye on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM/@LEONBALOGUN Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
May 20, 2025
The league split kicks off with the challenge of St Mirren in Paisley. The Buddies have beaten the Light Blues in their last two meetings and while the talk across the city at Celtic is about a domestic Treble, Stephen Robinson can get his own over Rangers.
The men from Govan make the short trip to Paisley without Ridvan Yilmaz – who is now out for the rest of the reason. He is joined on the sidelines by Dujon Sterling, Leon Balogun and Tom Lawrence.
One or two others only took part in minimal areas of training and will go under further checks but while the taste of change is in the air, Ferguson can stick to that mantra when he looks to get back to winning ways in his first outing since Europa League elimination.
Predicted Rangers XI to face St Mirren
Rangers squad in full
Goalkeepers
• Jack Butland
• Liam Kelly
Defenders
• James Tavernier
• John Souttar
• Clinton Nsiala
• Jefte
• Robin Propper
• Alexander Hutton
• Rafael Fernandes
Midfielders
• Mohamed Diomande
• Connor Barron
• Bailey Rice
• Findlay Curtis
• Ianis Hagi
• Vaclav Cerny
• Nedim Bajrami
• Aiden McCallion
Forwards
• Cyriel Dessers
• Hamza Igamane
• Danilo
