Daniel Candeias is on the verge of a Rangers exit this summer.
Football Scotland report that the player is in Turkey for talks with Genclerbirligi ahead of a potential switch, with Steven Gerrard all but confirming he is set for a permanent exit from Glasgow.
The winger has been a first-team regular and a useful asset over the last two seasons.
Signed by Pedro Caixinha in 2017, he’s made 97 appearances and directly contributed to 39 goals, netting 14 times and assisting another 25.
In comparison to others at Rangers it’s a very good return. Last season only James Tavernier created more assists than the Portuguese winger.
He was also in sparkling form just last week, scoring twice in a pre-season friendly thrashing of Ligue 1 side Marseille.
There’s a case then for him to stay at Ibrox, but Ferguson thinks the exit makes sense from both the club’s and the player’s perspective.
As quoted by The Daily Record, he said: “I’ve spoken to my Rangers supporting mates about the Daniel Candeias situation and they all agree that every time he’s played he’s worked his socks off.
“He’s 100-per-cent committed but lacks a wee bit of quality at times in the final third.
“He’s 31-years-old now and at an age where he needs to play and won’t be guaranteed that at Rangers so he has to look elsewhere.”
Gerrard now has a big decision to make in the right wing position.
Does he trust new loan signing Sheyi Ojo to consistently produce goals and assists like Candeias did, or does he look to bring in a bit of added quality and shake things up further?
Ojo has looked bright in the summer’s action so far, scoring on his debut against St Joseph’s. However, a bit of experienced, senior competition could help raise his game for tougher tests ahead.
Jake Hastie, 20, is available too but is still essentially learning his trade having had limited first-team experience at Motherwell.
What’s clear given his contributions over the last two seasons is that the decision to let Candeias go won’t have been taken lightly, so the Rangers manager must feel he can get more out of the position, whoever fills in.
How that plays out could be prove to be an important thread throughout Rangers’ season ahead.
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