Steven Gerrard has a lot of work on his plate this summer

As Rangers look to next season, albeit there’s still a Scottish cup up for grabs, nevertheless as brilliant as 20/21 was, resting on laurels is not a wise move and Rangers must continue to strengthen.

Ibrox Noise brings you our picks for key changes/positions which need work and TLC this summer.

Please note, there will be conjecture in here, based on what we see – up to you if you disagree or agree!

Goals:

We have three goalies – McGregor, McLaughlin and McCrorie. McGregor is likely to remain our stopper next season, but he’s remaining tight lipped on it. But if all is pure and holy, our present three will remain as is for next campaign.

Defence:

James Tavernier is going nowhere, unless a massive bid arrives, and he has an understudy in the promising Nathan Patterson. For now, RB needs no work.

CB, as we discussed earlier, is in a little flux, with Balogun’s deal expiring, and Katic’s fitness up in the air. Simpson too is a little unfamiliar, and even Connor Goldson is vulnerable to some potential bids. Helander is subject to interest down south as well. We also have Edmundson still on our books. Will require some TLC.

LB lacks depth – Barisic is by no means guaranteed to stay especially if a good bid arrives, while his understudy is nowhere near good enough in Bassey. Work needed here.

Midfield:

This is another area of management – Steven Davis is wonderful but cannot be overused. Ryan Jack’s fitness is utterly unreliable, and Glen Kamara is vulnerable to a sale. Meanwhile Bongani Zungu hasn’t impressed. Some potential housekeeping needed here.

Attacking midfield:

Scott Arfield is great, and will be a big player next season. Joe Aribo is coming onto a game and starting to impress himself firmly, while Ianis Hagi is at the centre of interest especially from Lazio. Less work needed here, we do have quality in this area. We also have young NYC and Kai Kennedy to promote from the reserves.

Wings:

Ryan Kent is just sensational and at his best unplayable. Scott Wright is a new recruit and has looked promising but we can’t say much else. While Kemar Roofe is really the only option for the right wing. And even he isn’t a serious right winger. Plus he’s always injured. Jordan Jones has only a slim chance of being wanted again by Stevie. So we’d have to say a little work here would be useful.

Up front:

So, we have Morelos, Itten, and the likely outgoing Defoe. Morelos is also vulnerable to a sale, and Itten isn’t firmly proven yet. No denying a LOT of work needed up front – strikers didn’t score enough last season.

So yes, a lot of work will be needed this summer due to the flux.

Contracts ending, players potentially retiring, some big sales made, and a few players whose Rangers contributions are mostly potential.

This is not to say we need to replace the squad, but complacency won’t do either. Can’t go into the new season with the same squad without some tweaking and tinkering.

Conclusion:

Goals – no work.

Defence – a new LB

CM – at least one new mid.

AM – is fine

Wings – new winger for the right

Striker – potentially one, maybe even two new strikers.

In short – housekeeping required but the building is in great condition.