The Rangers dozen – who stays and who goes

15


As Rangers fans known only too
well, around a dozen plus players are out of contract this June. Previously
Darren McGregor was one of them, but thanks to his 50% match appearance
contract clause, his deal has been renewed till summer 2016.
However, the dozen or so who
remain expired this year are Lee McCulloch, Kenny Miller, Kris Boyd, Ian Black,
Jon Daly, Bilel Mohsni, Stevie Smith, Kyle Hutton, Richard Foster, Steve
Simonsen, Lee Robinson, Sebastian Faure and Luca Gasparotto.
Let us take a look in turn at the
status of each:

Lee McCulloch is on record as saying he wants a new deal; the
Rangers captain is far from the toast of Ibrox right now though, with dramatically
decreasing popularity among supporters and an untimely red card against Hearts,
the skipper might wish to remain at Ibrox but there are infinitely superior
options and he is unlikely to be granted a new deal. Leave.
Kenny Miller has an option for a new deal, but his third spell in
Govan has been patchy. Under McCoist he started moderately, managing a handful
of goals initially before his form disappeared entirely and thereafter in and
out of the team his stock was mild. Under McCall he may have been given a
second chance, and his goal against the champions will help his case. Possible stay.
Kris Boyd also has an optional extension, but with Kilmarnock
manager Gary Locke wishing him as an assistant at Rugby Park
and his own self-depracating honesty in conceding he has been dire second time
round, it is an option unlikely to be taken up. This would suit both parties. Leave.
Ian Black has simply not been in favour since ex-manager Kenny
McDowall hooked him off against Raith Rovers in the Cup at Ibrox. He has been
unable to force himself back in under McCall and the odd fleeting appearance
here and there suggest he will not be renewed this summer. Leave.
Jon Daly has been injured for the majority of McCall’s tenure, but
has nevertheless had a terrible season regardless. When he has been fit he has
been on the bench. McCall has stated there is no point in having both he and
Boyd in the squad on match day, so whoever gets the place on the bench or
manages to start, the other loses out entirely. Leave.
Bilel Mohsni had a stellar cameo on Sunday but his mistakes have
punctuated his time at Ibrox. For all the good work he has done, he often
undoes it with poor concentration, and reports from Tunisia suggest he is already negotiating
a move home. Leave.
Stevie Smith has been injured the entire time under McCall, and has
been a fringe player since he joined. Actually reasonably useful in midfield in
a defensively-minded formation, Smith has good set-piece delivery but not a
huge amount else. In the SPL, he will always be second fiddle to Lee Wallace in
their natural position. Unlikely to be
renewed.
Kyle Hutton has completely and totally lost his place under McCall.
He performed brightly, briefly under McDowall before reverting to type, and has
been completely out of the picture under the new manager. He managed a place on
the bench at Easter Road, but otherwise, he simply is not fancied. Leave.
Richard Foster is another to have been injured McCall’s entire
tenure. Truth is Rangers have not missed him at all, and he was already
regarded lowly among fans as it was. Darren McGregor & Nicky Law have
filled in impeccably at right back, however, and that may be viewed as a
long-term plan by the coach. It is simply hard to see where Foster would fit in
at McCall’s Rangers. Leave.
Steve Simonsen has worked his way back to the bench, featuring
against Hearts, but till then Lee Robinson was the second choice on the
touchline under McCall. It is unknown if Robinson was injured for the visit of
the Gorgie men but Simonsen is another who is most likely surplus. Leave.
Sebastien Faure has also been injured under McCall, slightly
unfortunately for the French utility man who has been pretty solid when he has
been selected, regardless of manager. By no means Paolo Maldini, he has been
fairly respectable at both RB and CB, and he may find himself offered a new
deal as squad material. Possible stay.
And lastly Luca Gasparotto remains on loan at Airdrieonians – with a call up
to the Canadian senior team again, the young defender might be one McCall
fancies for the future, but he has barely scratched the surface of the first XI
at Ibrox and who knows if that will ever change. Squad material. Possible stay.

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15 COMMENTS

  1. its up to us as supporters to get behind the team and the club we all love and help them get us back to the top,the manager and board will do there very best im sure to fix the mess out as fast and as soon as they can, lets fill ibrox every game,,all other things will fall into place,,

  2. I think there is more to come with Mohsni. I can see his confidence is growing everytime he plays. I've seen him play for Tunisia and he doesn't look out of place in the international scene. Unfortunately McCoist and McDowall have destroyed our teams confidence and certain players were left out because the duo wanted to play their pals first,, But with McCall slowly installing belief in our players, with superb results against Hibs and Hearts,, the players now seem to have the bit between their teeth,,we have the ability,, but one game at at time though,,I will be watching Mohsni in the next few games,, if he cuts out his crap and just do simple defending, he will do ok,

    • I agree with you , but its not rocket science as all of the managers he has worked with have said the same thing . The big fella is erratic , but there is a player in there alright as to whether Stu can get him to cut out the lapses in concentration ?…..anybodies guess . I think we shoould keep am eye on him til the e/o/ season and if he is getting himself together ? give him another chance . The funny thing is the big man has more Tech abillity than most in that defence ! if he can just screw the nut .

  3. I agree with all in this paper but Smith has to go he is total rubbish .Some new players a long with the young ones would be great .

  4. lets get behind the club to get them up,, all other things will fall into place after that, watp.

  5. I am 83 years old and have seen every Rangers Captain going back to Jock Shaw in 1945. Its true that we have stripped players of trhe Captaincy in the past – in fact in Barry's case three times. We have never though actually fired a sitting Captain by chucking him out of the club. I've seen and liked them all, except Lorenzo, but its the tradition that's most important. Remember that Lee's predecessors were Steven Davis and Carlo Bocanigro, so it would be an embarrassment if he wasn't treated better than them. It just wouldn't look right, not the Rangers way. I have to admit though the stadium is a midden.

    • So you didn't like Amoruso because he didn't fit with your traditions. Nuff said, 83 and haven't changed a bit.

    • Lorenzo was a great player and a great captain. What was wrong with him as if we didn't know. Your day has nearly gone pal. Hurry on now, time to go.

  6. McCulloch and Miller to stay as they are good players with experience and only Gasparotto after that. Everyone else should be allowed to leave.

  7. Surely all of them should go.

    With DK promising up to £50m from his resources, to be matched with the same amount from the 3 bears plus £20 m in ST income, thats £120m.
    Spend a couple million on the stadium and invest the rest in the team. Never mind Paul Murray's 7 year vision, we can blow Celtic away next season with CL qualification the following year, bringing in another £20m.
    It's a no brainer, let the spending begin.

    • I can hear the opening bars for Nat King Cole or Dean Martin, but wait, "Only Make Believe" Dopo will be sung by Conway Twitty! Dopodidi profundis (or timmy interlouper).

    • 120m u r an idiot, u seriously believe we will spend that on a new team! I would b happy to see us spend 5-10m and even then I'm dreaming.

  8. Miller should retire and mculloch should retire as mculloch is a filthy dirty team player who doesnt think about the team only his rich wage packet rangers were the better team without mculloch and miller

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