Ibrox stars in the dock as Mail Sport looks at which players deserve to stay and who should go as part of a summer rebuild

Rangers find themselves in a strange place. While the visit of Athletic Bilbao is a reminder of the heights the side can scale, the fact Barry Ferguson’s men are looking to avoid a sixth successive home defeat says much about their shortcomings.

Ran find themselves in a strange place. While the visit of Athletic Bilbao is a reminder of the heights the side can scale, the fact Barry Ferguson’s men are looking to avoid a sixth successive home defeat says much about their shortcomings.

Come what may in the remainder of the Europa League campaign, a dismal domestic season means change is in the air.

An American consortium is poised to buy a controlling stake. In all likelihood, they’ll want their own man in the dugout.

While contracts mean that the clear out of players is unlikely to be as extensive as many would like, that won’t prevent supporters from voicing their opinions on who deserves to be part of things next season on the basis of their contributions this term.

Here, Mail Sport assesses which players are entitled to the benefit of the doubt and who may already reached the point of no return.

Jack Butland

Denied an England recall a year ago, this season has been horrendous for the keeper. The 32-year-old has made errors against Motherwell, Manchester United, Dundee and Hibernian. It’s now more than a bad patch. He’s fast becoming a liability. After Nottingham Forest’s interest was rebuffed, Philippe Clement claimed he was the only player he wouldn’t sell. Contracted until 2027, any bid upwards of £4m now must be considered.

VERDICT: Time to go

Liam Kelly

The former Motherwell keeper has not looked out of place on the seven occasions he’s played. He’s lost six goals in that sequence —not a great record — but some of the defending has left a lot to be desired. Kelly did enough in his Fir Park days to merit a Scotland cap and for Rangers, his first club, to welcome him back. At 29, he’s worthy of the chance to demonstrate he has what it takes to be the club’s No1.

VERDICT: Much to prove

James Tavernier

The Englishman must wish he’d pushed for a move around the time Rangers won the title four years ago. While he’s been an excellent signing since moving from Wigan a decade ago, he’s struggled this season to the point where Clement benched him. At 33, his only crime is getting older. With a year to go on his deal, he won’t command much of a fee. It’s more about both parties recognising that he simply can’t offer what he did in his mid-20s.

VERDICT: Time to go

Robin Propper

The Dutchman arrived from Twente as a 30-year-old last summer having played his entire career in the Netherlands. That alone suggested he was limited. Nothing he’s produced in a Rangers jersey since has changed that view. Lacks physicality and authority. The fact he’s not started any of the last four matches suggests he’s not

Ferguson’s idea of a centre-half. Contracted until 2026 but if Rangers can get their £1.5m back he’ll be on the first flight home.

VERDICT: Time to go

John Souttar

The best defender at the club. Can do what’s asked of him in terms of making blocks and interceptions yet can also step forward and spark attacks. While he’s still prone to the occasional lapse in concentration — see Hibs’ second goal on Saturday — he should be the first name in the team sheet as he enters the final year of his deal.

VERDICT: Stays on merit

Dujon Sterling

Effective wherever he’s deployed on the park, Rangers’ Mr Versatile never seems to get the credit he deserves. With a deal running to 2028, the former Chelsea trainee has the potential to return south in a year’s time for a decent fee.

VERDICT: Stays on merit

Jefte

One of Mark Warburton’s favourite phrases was ‘pitch geography’ — knowing where to be in relation to the ball, your team-mates and your opponents. The Brazilian must have missed that module. Whatever he offers in terms of energy and athleticism, any defender who’s posted missing as often as him can’t be trusted.

Discard fanciful talk of Chelsea. Unless he quickly learns the game, the 21-year-old will be plummeting down the leagues.

VERDICT: Much to prove

Leon Balogun

The only regret for Rangers supporters is that the Nigeria international didn’t come on to their radar sooner. Across two spells, he’s has been an assured presence at the back. But he turns 37 in June and the signs are that he’s becoming more injury prone. There can be no question of renewing his contract this summer.

VERDICT: Time to go

Ridvan Yilmaz

His erratic form has mirrored that of his side. Some of the left-back’s best displays have come when he’s been asked to swap sides. His performances in his favoured position have been wildly inconsistent. With a deal until 2027, now feels like the right time for a parting of the ways. If

Rangers get anything close to the £3.4m they paid Besiktas in 2022 then they must take it.

VERDICT: Time to go

Connor Barron

One of the few bright sparks in the early weeks of the season, Barron’s form has since fluctuated. Needs to learn how to channel his energy. Use of the ball also has to improve. Although it’s not his prime concern, he’s yet to score a goal.

VERDICT: Much to prove

Mohamed Diomande

When he’s on it, the Ivorian looks the part. It’s been noticeable that this has often been the case in the big European games and against Celtic. Far too often, though, in bread-and-butter domestic games, he just goes through the motions. For £4.3m, Rangers are entitled to expect more.

VERDICT: Much to prove

Nedim Bajrami

The Albanian has been hugely underwhelming since moving for £3.4m from Sassuolo last summer. A three-minute highlights reel of his time in Glasgow might suggest he’s a top-class talent. A multitude of lackadaisical performances tell a different story.

VERDICT: Much to prove

Vaclav Cerny

One of only a handful of players to get pass marks, the Czech winger has quality in abundance and 17 goals to his name. If the asking fee of parent club Wolfsburg is within Rangers’ reach, then signing him on a permanent basis this summer is a no brainier.

VERDICT: Stays on merit

Nico Raskin

Finally injury free, the midfielder has shown why Rangers were so thrilled to take him from Standard Liege in 2023. His first full Belgium caps have been richly deserved. With a deal running to 2027, the Ibrox club should be looking to soon make good money on a player they signed for £1.7m.

VERDICT: Stays on merit

Tom Lawrence

Midfielder is capable of some fine moments, but they just don’t come around often enough. Thus the reason he’s spent most of his time on the periphery. Out of contract in the summer and hasn’t done enough to merit an extension.

VERDICT: Time to go

Ianis Hagi

You wonder how different things might have been for the Romanian had injuries, a loss of confidence and a contract impasse did not punctuate his time in Glasgow. Hasn’t exactly lit the place up since he was brought back in from the cold. Will be moving on when his deal expires in a matter of weeks.

VERDICT: Time to go

Danilo

Has had a wretched time with injury since signing from Feyenoord for £6m in 2023, making just 43 appearances in that time, mostly from the bench. Without a proper run in the team, he’s found out hard to make an impression. There’s little chance of Rangers getting their money back, though.

VERDICT: Much to prove

Cyriel Dessers

Yes, he scores goals. He managed 22 in his first season and has already gone one better this term.

But he misses chances. Loads of them. That would be forgivable if his hold-up play wasn’t so questionable. A decent striker but Rangers must aspire to better.

VERDICT: Time to go

Hamza Igamane

The emergence of the Moroccan forward has been the main positive of the season. Blessed with lovely feet, he knows how to use his strength to hold the ball up and has found his way to goal 14 times already. One for the new man to build his team around.

VERDICT: Stays on merit