RANGERS have confirmed the FIVE players heading out of Ibrox this summer.
Michael Beale faces an almighty task next season to compete with Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic for trophies while steadying the ship at Ibrox with a huge rebuild on the cards.
The Englishman revealed earlier this month that Alfredo Morelos will be on his way out of the club after spending six years in Glasgow following his £1million switch from Helsinki in 2017.
The out of contract striker was given his chance to say goodbye to fans after the 1-0 win over Aberdeen, despite Beale’s scathing verdict on the player’s performance when he came off the bench during the match.
Ryan Kent is another player who will leave at the end of the season and looks set for a big money move to either the Premier League or Turkey.
English clubs including Everton, Sheffield United, Burnley and Leeds have all reportedly held discussions with the player over a free agent switch with Fenerbahce also keen too.
It’s unclear where he will be playing his football next season but it won’t be in Glasgow as Rangers have confirmed his exit.
The Light Blues forked out around £7million to bring him to the club from Liverpool in 2019 after the winger impressed on loan during the 2018/19 campaign.
The Ibrox giants were hopeful of selling Kent for a profit after his first couple of years in Scotland but they didn’t tie him down to a new deal and allowed him to run down his contract to leave for nothing this summer.
Aside from Morelos and Kent, Rangers also confirmed that Scott Arfield, forgotten defender Filip Helander and veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor will depart too.
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Arfield has been a regular off the bench for Beale this year and has been a reliable member of the team but he’s set for a new challenge at the age of 34, with a return to boyhood club Falkirk a potential destination for him.
Swedish centre-back Helander hasn’t played since picking up a long-term injury in Paisley against St Mirren last year.
It’s been 13 months since he was last fit to feature after being dealt several blows on his road to recovery.
He cost the Light Blues £3.5million in 2019 but he is another who will depart for free.
Gers legend McGregor, 40, is also set to retire at the end of the season after staying on for a further year after the Scottish Cup final last May.
He leaves after spending over 15 years at Ibrox across two spells, lifting 13 trophies and reaching two European finals.
Steven Davis – who is out injured for the rest of the season – is set for contract talks as Beale wants to assess his fitness before making a decision on his future.
A statement from the club on the departures read: “Each of the departing players has given the club excellent service and will move on to the next stage in their careers with the warmest wishes and thanks of everyone at Ibrox and the Rangers Training Centre.
The individuals have contributed enormously to the club‘s capture of a record 55th Scottish league title, last season’s Scottish Cup, the run to the UEFA Europa League final and qualification for the UEFA Champions League this season.
“Allan McGregor, of course, also gained significant honours with the club in his first spell and broke the 500 appearance mark for Gers back in April.
Tributes to the departing players will be paid at tomorrow’s match with Hearts. Additional acknowledgements to those leaving will continue on the club’s digital platforms in the coming weeks, with Allan McGregor to be further recognised in his testimonial match with Newcastle on July 18.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
