Rangers clear-out begins with trio set to depart as boss makes transfer decision on struggling forward
Rangers are preparing for another summer of change
Rangers are set for another major clear-out in the coming weeks, with reports claiming head coach Danny Rohl is prepared to let several players depart Ibrox in the summer transfer window.
Rohl, 37, endured a torrid end to the Scottish Premiership campaign, losing four of the club’s final five games after the split as they ended the season 10 points adrift of eventual champions Celtic, succumbing to a third-place finish for the first time since 2018.
Despite calls for a change in the dugout, Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh insisted that the German boss had the full support of the Ibrox board heading into next season, saying: “Our goal is obviously to bring titles to Rangers in the future, beginning with next year. We believe Danny is the right coach and that the two things he really needs to succeed are a revamped squad and a full pre-season.
“It's not been nearly good enough and we need to be better. It's that simple. We're disappointed, we understand that they [the fans] are disappointed and we will do what we believe is necessary to bring titles.”
After strong words from the Rangers chief, it now looks like the club are ready to be ruthless with the squad as Rohl wields the axe on a number of players, with Leon King, James Tavernier and back up goalkeeper Kieran Wright to leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.
King, 22, spent the last season playing regularly for Ayr United in the Championship, but has vowed to return to Rangers in the future, saying: “This is more of a see you later than a goodbye in my eyes.” Scotland international Liam Kelly is locked in talks over a new deal, with his contract also set to expire next month.
Alongside the quartet, Rohl has also decided against taking up the option to sign Danish international Andreas Skov Olsen permanently after his underwhelming loan stint from Wolfsburg in January. The 26-year-old arrived with a big reputation, but struggled to adapt to the Scottish Premiership, scoring just once in nine appearances.
Rangers hold an option to sign the attacker for a fee of around £8million this summer, but have decided against purchasing him on a permanent basis, meaning he will return to the Bundesliga, having featured in just one of the club’s last six games of the season.
Clinton Nsiala will also be allowed to leave Rangers this summer if the club can find a buyer. The French centre-back moved on loan to Belgian Pro League outfit Westerlo in the winter transfer window but started just three games under former Rangers assistant boss Issame Charai.
Ross McCausland, Jose Cifuentes, Danilo and Oscar Cortes all spent time away from the club on loan last season and are believed to be surplus to requirements, while Lyall Cameron left on loan in January in order to play more regularly with Aberdeen. The Scotland under-21 international’s future with the club is currently unknown, with another loan spell possible. Meanwhile, question marks remain over fringe players such as Nedim Bajrami, Oliver Antman, Bojan Miovski and Thelo Aasgaard.
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