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Are Rangers making an error selling Barrie McKay when they should loan him instead?

Rangers' Barrie McKay is fouled by Alloa's Kyle McAusland in the area resulting in a penalty to Rangers (Reuters)
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Rangers Barrie McKay has been linked to Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.

Barrie McKay has made a huge contribution to Rangers over the past few years, since breaking into the first team as a teenager.

His semi-final goal against Celtic in 2016 will live long in the memory and perhaps unfairly raised expectations ahead of last season.

The adjustment to the Scottish Premiership was tougher than expected, and new boss Pedro Caixinha clearly does not fancy him.

Burnley's Tendayi Darikwa in action with Rangers' Barrie McKayBurnley’s Tendayi Darikwa in action with Rangers’ Barrie McKay

The Scotsman report the winger is being lined up for a transfer to Nottingham Forest after Caixinha made clear he has no future under his management.

So for McKay and Rangers a parting of the ways seems inevitable, but the club’s board could regret not trying to hedge their bets.

McKay’s situation is exacerbated by his contract expiring next year, meaning selling appears a sensible option to recoup some cash.

A more prudent solution though would be to extend McKay’s contract and then send him out on loan for the year.

Rangers' Barrie McKay is fouled by Alloa's Kyle McAusland in the area resulting in a penalty to RangersRangers’ Barrie McKay

Pedro Caixinha is still an unknown quantity, and his Rangers’ spell could fall flat on it’s face.

If the worst case scenario happens and Caixinha is out of a job this time next year, the club will have thrown the baby out with the bathwater by ditching McKay at their manager’s whim.

A Rangers star with the potential to play for the club for the next decade would have been needlessly ditched.

It would be better for the club to hedge their bets by sending him out on loan and seeing how the Caixinha revolution develops.

His contract situation makes it difficult, but rushing into a sale could be a decision the club regret long term.