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.