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It's safe to say that since my last site editorial things have not gone well for Rangers... Despite a late draw against Celtic after an awful first 45mins in that game, the side have capitulated further in our subsequent matches at Ross County and Dundee to fall three points behind our rivals at the top of the table. Yes, the title hasn't gone yet and we've clawed back success from worse positions but with the team (and manager if we're being honest) looking a shadow of themselves in recent weeks, Celtic are now massive favourites. With that in mind and with supporters debating/arguing amongst themselves about who is to blame for poor results and who should stay or go over the summer, it's a good time to examine the general status of the squad which you can view in the image above. Please bear in mind these are my opinions only and I appreciate these will differ markedly from supporter to supporter (and perhaps from week to week for some people). Indeed, rather than calling for players to leave, it's perhaps easier to say who we'd keep so from all those who have featured at least once this season (or nominally considered a first team player), I've highlighted those I'd keep in white and those out of contract (or on loan deals due to expire) in orange and those I'd try to move on in red. If I'm not fussy either way, I'll leave them as grey. For info, there are 37 players on the graphic above so I'd suggest we really need to decrease that number to closer to 30 for next season. After some consideration, from this squad of 37, I have only nine players I'd really want to keep and it may well be from those, Butland and Yilmaz could be sold to help finance any new signings leaving us with just seven players plus Tavernier and Goldson plus another seven fringe/youth players, meaning we'd need to sign at least 12 players in the summer if we accept returning loanees such as Hagi, Cifu and Lammers will also be moved on permanently. I would imagine both Diomande and Cortes will be retained (I think the former is already agreed) so that takes us down to 10. If possible, I'd also be happy to bring back Sima and would actually give a (suitable) extension to Lundstram. That takes us to eight players; not an unrealistic amount to sign in one window given we did the same last summer but it could be more difficult if fans really want rid of Tavernier, Goldson and Lundstram - three key/influential players whether we like it or not. Who would you have as our new captain from the right hand column of retained players? It's also worth noting the poor performance (and/or utilisation) of our youth system. Ross McCausland was a surprise, and arguably forced, addition to the starting XI earlier this season but he's struggled to maintain his position since whilst other highly thought of younger players like Leon King and Bailey Rice have been unable to force their way into the side. There are few others we could consider likely to do so in 2024/25 so I wouldn't expect any wonderkids to magically appear. If we look at the right column of the graphic and make some admittedly strong assumptions (though they are popular amongst a vocal element of the support) then you can see how weak our squad could be for next season. Only one inexperienced goalkeeper of note, only one centre-half of note, no left back and just three senior midfielders means it's only really the attacking area of the side that looks reasonably competent. And even that relies on Sima and Cortes returning from their initial loans with the latter and Danilo also regaining full fitness in short order for the season starting. To say the squad would be well short of the standard required and would need significant investment is somewhat of an understatement. With that in mind, it's clearly crucial that we maximise the quality of those that come in but nothing is certain there in terms of contribution. Long term injuries to Danilo, Dowell and Cortes over this season show one unpredictable and negative outcome whilst the rest of our recruitment last summer really was abysmal with only Butland, Sima and Dessers (to a limited extent in his case) offering any kind of positive return and none of them may be here next season! In conclusion, I'm as annoyed and disappointed as every other Rangers fan with recent let-downs and emotionally agree we need to start again in many areas of the squad. However, this article shows such emotion is difficult to apply in a constructive, team-building manner. It's also very, very expensive with no guarantees. Nevertheless, we cannot afford another poor window - both in financial and sporting terms so the pressure is definitely on the manager and scouting department to deliver substantial improvement in an affordable, innovative fashion. That is very much easier said than done...

My issue with those wanting to get rid of Tavernier is that he's one of our best players. Surely you get rid of the rubbish first?

I'd contend that someone of Struth's stature not being involved at the club nowadays is one of the main reasons our mentality on and off the pitch is so fragile. We're fortunate to still have John Greig who still commands genuine gravitas but he never led the club successfully in the dugout so we miss someone in that vein to add some guidance to whoever is in charge now. Walter Smith was a huge loss for the modern football club.

If Borna is fit he should start, we need Sterling to play midfield!.

Great Post @Frankie and hard to disagree with most of it. On Cortes, I'd imagine any deal (permanent or loan) will not be finalised until we know how he has recovered from his injury. Sima - would love to see him back next season on loan but this will all depend on Brighton and his contract situation (they may want to sell if he is nearing the end of his current contract). As you say Butland and Yilmaz may have to be sold to finance the "restructure" and my feelings on Yilmaz are different from yours and others so I'd sell him regardless. I'll be in the minority but I'd only sell Tav is a huge bid was received. We need to have a succession plan in place but currently he offers more offensively than any other player we have. However, we can't keep relying on our RB digging us out of trouble. I like Goldson and Lundstrum but feel their time at Rangers has come to a conclusion. No matter which way you cut it, a huge job for Koppen, PC and the recruitment team .

I always had the impression that Cortes was a stick-on to be made permanent. In the brief spell he's had he does seem to be first-team quality. And he's only 20.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is also suspect defensively. Just because he has flaws in his game doesn't mean that he's not one of our best players.

With all these biblical scholars on Gersnet, I'm surprised that nobody has given the definite quote, of which no one may question: Never fear, inevitably we shall have our years of failure, and when they arrive, we must reveal tolerance and sanity. No matter the days of anxiety that come our way, we shall emerge stronger because of the trials to be overcome. That has been the philosophy of the Rangers since the days of the gallant pioneers. Bill Stuth

Players are down the dumps the managers got two options drop the duds or hope they buck up their ideas and get us back to winning ways I think it will be a tight game might need extra time.

Clubs value potential over everything else.

I don't know if that makes it better or worse 🤣

Correct, so let's try compos suggestion of playing him up front.

I'm sure Warburton, Gerrard, Van Bronckhorst, Beale and Clement have never thought of this.

As much as we are all probably guilty of moaning about Tav's poor passing and poor crossing at times during a match he really is one of our best players. He does have deficiencies defending which could be replaced by signing a right back that can only be a right back but you then lose his rampaging runs forward not to mention his important goal scoring. Would changing to a back 3 help cover the space he leaves? EDIT..MOVE TAV TO RM if only to annoy Gonzo. 😉

It is beyond tiresome but not any less true. The fact that many supporters are asking for Tav, Goldson and Lundstram all to be moved on makes it even more important we get the replacements right.

I've been trying to put together a quick chart of the minutes players by each player, finding it hard to find reliable stats. The below is domestic league stats only so not ideal.. I'd want to include cups / Europe and ideally be able to indicate for each player games missed through injury to differentiate between non selection reasons. But its all I've got. Edit - source: Rangers Stats, Scottish Premiership | FBref.com

Groundhog day

Some people are sick of certain players who have been here during continued failures but are willing to give more leeway to younger, more recent signings. The important stuff happens on the pitch anyway, not in the pressers.

I think there is a school of thought around our team is pretty much geared up to allow Tav to do what Tav does. This is then to the detriment of the other attacking areas of the team. I'm not arguing for or against it, jut trying to add a bit of context. FWIW i do think he is an enigma and we need to enjoy him while we can.

His success in his second spell was an incredible achievement.

There are honestly very few I would keep, it's too hard to select just 5. And some of the players like Jack and Tav, I love them, but we need to freshen up and bring in a new mentality and ensure we aren't signing injury prone players in the future, I don't think it has ever worked for us.

He arguably still has at least 5 years at the top level in him and could still easily be picked in the England Euros squad so isn't just a quality 'keeper but fills Euro quotas as well. £10m is pocket change for English sides.

English teams will play a premium for him - I'd expect in the region of £10-15m.

Dessers-I bet those Dutch boys would scoop him up. Lundstram-Reminds me of every union guy I have worked with. Contract negotiations ain't goin so well? Bundle dropped. Davies--Chief Raincloud. He could melt butter with that scowl. Connor Goldson--He runs like he is calcifying before our eyes. Hank Jr. sang it best--It's allll over...but the cryin. Scott Wright--Scott looks like someone who would play a soccer player on TV. Couldn't do a worse job of it.

Exactly what I said elsewhere. They would be absolutely crucified if they had said this. Just shows some players can't do/say anything right at the moment and others can do no wrong.

Or with us essentially only playing 2 in midfield, we are being overran in this area?

After the last three performances, the only realistic way to view Sunday is with a sense of dread. We have been bloody awful recently. A Hearts fan was goading me yesterday and I just reminded him that Hearts fans should maybe not get uppity about things that happen at Dens Park, which soon put his gas at a peep. Tosser.

And injured.

3 ....1 Rangers Dessers Also...2....1 tae the sheep.

I would take Cortes over Silva. Even assuming they would both cost the same (they likely wouldn't)

Because he was 17 at the time.

On that thinking why not put him at centre forward. 😂

Stats wise no doubt. Those are envied by most wingers and even strikers. Performance-wise ... you are the chap with the stats, what's his cross-/pass-completion ratio? Is it wrong to wish that a defender is doing his prime job first and foremost? There are reasons why concede bad goals time and again, and since "we play as a team", we also lose as a team. Our centre-halfs are more often exposed for a reason. Hence, I suggested a 3-at-the-back and let Tavernier run his race on the right wing as per usual. We need to plug the gaps. As for the rubbish ... no-one wants to get rid of Tavernier, I would assume?

It's the fact he was being praised by a lot of people for his honesty though, when we all know others would get crucified for the exact same words. It's irrational.

Yeah, there is a difference between a club captain who has presided over years of being second best saying it, and a young player who has only been at the club a while.

OK. We've had nearly 24 hours for reflection. Time to throw off the sack cloth and look ahead to better times. As the good book tells us: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; Corinthians 4:8

I'd keep: Butland Sterling Soutter Diomande (we are buying him int he sumer anyway) Cantwell Sima The rest can gtfo

Excluding the out of contract and loan players - these 5 : Yilmaz Lammers Dowell Goldson Wright

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