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The Rangers rejects shown the door by Mark Warburton.


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The Rangers rejects shown the door by Mark Warburton - have they salvaged their careers?

 

11:03, 7 Oct 2016

Updated 13:12, 7 Oct 2016

By Fraser Wilson

 

THE Ibrox boss was ruthless in the summer as he rebuilt his squad for life in the Premiership - but how have those cut free fared since leaving Govan?

David Templeton, Nicky Clark and Andy Murdoch all left Ibrox in the summer

 

IT was a summer of heavy change at Rangers as Mark Warburton swung the axe in preparation for the step-up to Premiership football.

 

Eight members of the squad that won the Championship were shown the door while 11 new faces arrived at Ibrox in a hectic couple of months.

 

The jury remains out on the new boys as Rangers take time to find their feet at the top level.

 

But what about the departed? Football has a horrible way of making you yesterday's news faster than you can say Nicky Law.

 

 

 

 

Cammy Bell

 

The writing was on the wall for the goalkeeper from the moment Marvin Johnson's looping shot slipped through his grasp in the Premiership play-off clash with Motherwell two years ago.

 

Bell never made a single appearance under Warburton as he recovered from injury last season before leaving Ibrox by mutual consent in the summer.

 

But a summer move to Dundee United has breathed new life into the 30-year-old keeper who has rediscovered his best form at Tannadice, topped off by an incredible hat trick of penalty saves against Dunfermline last month.

 

Salvage rating: 8/10

 

David Templeton

An alarming case as the 27-year-old winger remains without a club.

 

Templeton was earmarked as one of Scotland's brightest prospects when he left Hearts to sign for Rangers in 2012. The flying machine had made just shy of 100 appearances for the Tynecastle club and was linked with moves south of the border after starring against Liverpool in the Europa League.

 

The move to Rangers started well but an injury sustained against Annan seemed to curtail Templeton's progress. He played a major part in the ultimately unsuccessful Championship campaign in 2014/15 but made just three appearance under Warburton last season.

 

Templeton was released in the summer and, while he should be entering his playing prime, remains without a club.

 

Salvage rating: 0/10

 

Dean Shiels

The Northern Irishman returned across the Irish Sea after leaving Ibrox in the summer and signed for Dundalk in the League of Ireland.

 

While undoubtedly a step down in standard from the Premiership, the former Hibs and Kilmarnock striker is at least enjoying European football with his new club who have made a strong start to their Europa League campaign after going so close to Champions League group stage qualificaton.

 

Shiels has made six appearances since signing for the Irish champions and scored against Derry City - managed by his dad Kenny - in the FAI Cup semi final at the weekend.

 

At 31 Shiels still has a few years ahead of him but looks settled playing at the top of the Irish game.

 

Salvage rating: 7/10

 

 

Robbie Crawford

Like Templeton, the 23-year-old midfielder has yet to find a club. Crawford had his contract terminated at Ibrox in the summer by mutual consent and vowed on social media to move "on to the next adventure". So far that certainly hasn't been in the football industry.

 

Crawford made more than 50 appearances for Gers after being handed his debut by Ally McCoist in a cup tie with Brechin City four years ago.

 

He remained on the verges of the first XI before being farmed out to Alloa Athletic last season. After making 26 appearances for the Wasps he left Ibrox in August in search of regular first-team football. But, to date, he remains without a club.

 

Salvage rating: 0/10

 

Andy Murdoch

Midfielder Murdoch remained in the Championship after signing for Morton last month following his release from Ibrox in the summer.

 

The 21-year-old came through the youth ranks at Ibrox and was given his big chance by Ally McCoist in League One three seasons ago. Murdoch's early promise continued under McCoist and the midfielder was a regular in their first season in the Championship.

 

But he dropped out of the reckoning when Warburton arrived last summer and spent the last campaign out on loan at Cowdenbeath and Queen of the South.

 

Murdoch has made two appearances since joining Ton and has looked assured in both. He also has a League Cup semi final to look forward to with Jim Duffy's men.

 

Salvage rating: 6/10

 

Nicky Law

The tenacious English midfielder was released by Warburton in May and moved back south of the border for a third stint with Bradford City.

 

Law was an almost ever-present in his three seasons with Rangers - making 116 appearances in total. But the former Motherwell player was deemed surplus to requirements when Warburton rebuilt his midfield for the rigours of the Premiership.

 

Nevertheless Law, 28, found a familiar home at Valley parade under Stuart McCall and has made 12 appearances already this season.

 

Salvage rating: 7/10

 

Nicky Clark

Clark arrived at Ibrox three years ago under a huge fanfare after hitting an astonishing 38 goals in 43 appearances for Queen of the South the previous season.

 

And he continued to be a regular on the scoresheet for McCoist in League One and the Championship before the goals, and starting appearances, began to dry up under Warburton last season.

 

Clark was released in the summer and moved on to Bury. But, after just a month he was heading back north of the border after agreeing a deal with Dunfermline - managed by his old QoS boss Allan Johnston and his dad Sandy.

 

Clark appears comfortable in the Championship and has struck three goals in his five appearances for the Pars.

 

Salvage rating: 7/10

 

Luca Gasparotto

One who has arguably improved his prospects by leaving Ibrox in the summer. The towering Canadian centre half has been an ever-present for Falkirk in the Championship.

 

Gasparotto made four appearances for Rangers as a 17-year-old in League Two. But he never featured for the Gers first team again.

 

Loan spells at Stirling Albion, Airdrie and Morton in the last three seasons kept the young stopper on his toes though and his summer exit from Ibrox has, without doubt, benefited him in footballing terms as he impresses in the heart of the Bairns defence.

 

Salvage rating: 9/10

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-rejects-shown-door-mark-8997081

Edited by pete
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The usage of the English media language leaves a lot to be desired. If you go by that article, nigh any Rangers player that has sleft our club in recent years was a "reject" rather than not having his contract renewed or being surplus to requirements.

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Another daily rhebel mud-slinging job. The negative language used throughout the piece is typical. I didnt need to see the link at the bottom to know where this garbage came from. Are papers so devoid of worthy news or proper journalism that they are reduced to this trash? No answer required.

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I went to watch Dunfermline play Queens Park on Saturday for something to do. Nicky Clark played up front but to be honest the two QP defenders coped with him comfortably. Certainly not a stand out by any means. Also playing was Rhys McCabe, another who briefly looked destined for great things but doesn't seem to have progressed at all.

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