Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has already added two new faces to his squad this summer with Fashion Sakala and Nnamdi Ofoborh expected to join their new teammates for pre-season next week – but there’s still plenty more transfer activity to come at Ibrox.
With a number of players linked with moves to and from Rangers, the Gers boss will have a busy summer preparing his side for the defence of their Scottish Premiership title and a return to the Champions League.
Although much of the attention will be on any big name comings or goings at Ibrox, there are a number of fringe players who could find themselves leaving under the radar a little bit.
Many of those will be heading out on loan as they look to force their way into Gerrard’s first-team plans – or win a permanent move away from Rangers – after failing to quite cut it so far.
Some will be looking to prove they have what it takes to be part of a title-winning Rangers side and make the leap from being a promising youngster to becoming a regular part of the Gers’ XI.
For others, they might be returning from injury, having to prove themselves all over again or simply be playing for an exit.
Whatever the reason for their departure, there could be a full team worth (and probably even more) of players Steven Gerrard will be sending away from Ibrox temporarily.
Here are eleven players who could head out on loan from this Rangers as they look to send a message to Steven Gerrard.
Robby McCrorie
The Scotland squad keeper has spent the last 18 months on loan at Livingston having had previous stints with Berwick Rangers, Morton and Queen of the South. With no chance of first-team football at Ibrox this season and three senior keepers ahead of him, his only prospect of playing the games he needs is a loan move.
James Maxwell
The former Falkirk kid spent last season at Queen of the South and admitted that he was prepared to spend this season on loan too. The left-sided defender really caught the eye at Palmerston and still has a year left on his Rangers contract. After a string season in the Championship, Maxwell will hopefully get a chance with a Premiership club in the coming season.
Leon King
King made his first-team debut last season in the League Cup win over Falkirk before a league cameo near the end of the campaign. The central defender might get kept around so he can work with the Rangers coaching staff but he really needs to get out and play next season. A move to a top-end Championship side would be ideal for him at this stage in his development and someone like a Raith Rovers or Inverness CT would be the sort of level he’s likely to get.
George Edmundson
Unlike King, Edmundson spent the second half of last season out on loan, heading to Derby and playing out the season under Wayne Rooney. The sheer competition for places in the first-team at Ibrox means Edmundson is, at best, fifth-choice centre-back so he’ll want to play games this season. The Gers have reportedly turned down bids for him though so it’s unclear what the future holds for the former Oldham defender.
Niko Katic
Croatia international Katic is only just returning to fitness after a serious knee injury sustained on the eve of last season getting started. Katic has put a lot of work in on building himself up physically in his year on the sideline but can’t afford to be sitting in the stands for Rangers now he’s fit. A loan move seems inevitable for Katic later in the summer as he looks to get back to playing and fighting for a place in the side at Ibrox long-term.
Stephen Kelly
Kelly spent last season at Ross County, impressing Staggies boss Yogi Hughes despite some mixed reviews from fans. The midfielder has been touted for big things by Steven Gerrard in the past but maybe isn’t quite at the level the challenge for a first-team place quite yet.
Jake Hastie
The former Motherwell winger returned to Fir Park on loan last season but failed to have any impact under Stephen Robinson or Graham Alexander. His Rangers career doesn’t seem to have much life left in it but a permanent exit seems unlikely unless the Gers are willing to let him rip up his contract early. Hastie is determined to make something of his Gers career though so it’ll be interesting to see what happens.
Jordan Jones
Northern Ireland international Jones has no place on a list like this where the bulk of the players are young talents hoping to make a breakthrough – but here we are. The winger’s Ibrox career has been largely disappointing despite brief glimpses of his ability. Pre-season will be massive for him but given the quality of player ahead of him in the pecking order, game time will be hard to come. Like Hastie, it seems unlikely he has much of a Rangers career left but unless someone is willing to pay, loans will be the probable answer. A solid spell at Sunderland will have helped him.
Glenn Middleton
The Scotland under-21 star is expected to link up with Steven Gerrard’s side for pre-season after earning rave reviews while on loan at St Johnstone. Middleton still has a lot of fans after Gerrard’s debut campaign saw the winger become a regular in the side but his fall from grace since then has left him clinging to his Gers career. This summer is likely the last chance for him to prove he has a Rangers future otherwise Saints boss Callum Davidson could get his wish and have Middleton back on loan for another season.
Kai Kennedy
Fans have been impressed with what they’ve seen of Kennedy after the winger impressed on loan with Inverness CT and then Raith Rovers. Still a little bit away from realistically being in contention for a first-team place at Ibrox, Rangers will be hoping they can find a Premiership side for Kennedy to join on loan.
Josh McPake
McPake has already attracted a host of interest over potential loan moves after impressing with Harrogate Town last season. The Rangers youngster seems to have been around for ages but is still only 19. With only a year left on his deal at Ibrox, Rangers will likely give him an extended contract before sending him out again – with Motherwell named as one potential desitnation.
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