Rangers striker Kemar Roofe has confirmed his departure from Rangers after admitting no contract offer ever arrived and thanked the fans for having him.
The Jamaica forward, 31, managed 102 appearances in four years with Rangers, and was completely beset with injuries, meaning he had zero chance of a new deal, as Ibrox Noise explained some months ago.
Indeed, 50 starts in those four years is almost up there with Jordan Rossiter territory, as the former Leeds man suffered prolific injury issues, and has now conceded defeat at Rangers, giving the fans a farewell after such a torrid Ibrox spell.
The tragic thing about Roofe is his talent – one of the most clinical strikers at Rangers in recent years, he scored an immensely respectable 38 goals in those 102 appearances, and had he been able to keep fit for a couple of minutes, he might have been a truly vast goal-getter for the club.
It just wasn’t to be – and the £3M spent on him by Steven Gerrard is lost because, naturally, he is one of many who will depart for free this summer.
We actually don’t have any issue with Roofe – we know he had mental issues with his injuries, that a lot of his problems were as much psychological as anything else, and that’s something a man needs help with.
But the product on the pitch from him was generally very good – a great reading of the game, good movement, and a clinical finish.
It’s thanks to Roofe we got into the last 16 of the Europa League this season, his winner in Betis being the difference.
But of course, he will be best-remembered for ‘that’ goal in Belgium, a goal which, if scored by a Messi, Ronaldo or Haaland, would have been broadcast daily on every sports network and been widely-regarded as the best goal ever scored in competitive football.
It was… literally ridiculous, and to this day scarcely believable.
But we now say goodbye to him – he may or may not get a final appearance or two in the last two fixtures, but he will move on this summer.
We genuinely wish him the best, we just wish it had worked out better with him.