With silverware looking increasingly unlikely, Rangers must have one eye on what needs to happen in the off-season.
It’s clear that manager Danny Rohl has a style of play that he won’t veer from, pushing some players to the wayside.
Rohl has a youthful tactical approach, needing players who can cover every blade of grass and produce quality.
His high-pressure system has opened the exit door for club legends and players already on the fringe of the squad.
With that being said, here are three players that Rangers must get rid of to progress in the future.
The Rangers legend: James Tavernier
Tavernier is a modern club legend, joining the club in the Scottish Championship in 2015.
He has won each of the domestic trophies in Scotland and captained the team to the Europa League final in 2022.
He has redefined the full-back position in his time at Rangers, playing over 500 times, scoring 143 goals, and assisting 148.
However, as he enters his mid 30’s, it’s become clearer that Tavernier is struggling to keep up with the demands of Rohl.
Rohl needs a fullback that can bomb up and down the line, offering consistent pressing and defensive solidity.
Tavernier can’t offer those exploits at the same rate he once could, and isn’t the best defensive option in the full-back department.
It’s important that Tavernier goes out as a Rangers legend, not a scapegoat for failed success.
The expensive experiment: Danilo
The club managed to find a temporary home for Brazilian striker Danilo, shipping him off to NEC Nijmegen in February.
However, the club must do all it can to find the striker a permanent home in the summer after a failed experiment at Ibrox.
Luckily for the Gers, the Dutch side has an option to buy Danilo after the season for an undisclosed fee.
Danilo is the joint-fifth most expensive signing in the club’s history, joining from Feyenoord for £6 million in 2022.
The Brazilian forward flopped at Ibrox, scoring a disappointing 16 goals in 76 games in all competitions.
Since signing, Danilo has gone from a for-sure starter to a fringe player who scored goals on rare occasions.
For this reason, it’s imperative that Rangers sell the Brazilian while they can still make some money back.
The tactical mismatch: Nedim Bajrami
Winger Nedim Bajrami left the pitch at Ibrox absolutely seething with anger at the weekend and had to be carried down the tunnel.
His outburst of anger after the Scottish Cup quarterfinal has summed up his recent months at the club.
Bajrami is a luxury player in a squad that is moving toward a more industrial, high-pressing midfield.
Rohl already has the likes of Mikey Moore, Mohamed Diomande, Thelo Aasgaard, and Andreas Skov Olsen to pick from.
Currently, Bajrami is just an expensive back-up, and the club must streamline the squad for the future.
He’s provided one goal and one assist in 12 Premiership matches this season.
The forgotten defender: Ben Davies
On loan at Oxford United in the Championship, defender Ben Davies has had a limited impact at Ibrox in recent times.
Davies signed for the Gers in 2022 for a staggering £4 million from Preston North End.
The English defender struggled to establish himself at Ibrox, making 58 appearances over three years.
In total, Rangers spent £141,000 per appearance on Davies, an investment the club should quickly move past.
Even while he’s been playing in England, the Gers have likely spent around £13,000 a week on his wages.
That totals nearly £700,000, funds that could have been pivotal in signing another player.
The defender’s contract expires in the summer, making it essential for the club to part ways promptly.
No real bright spark: Djeidi Gassama
Since arriving from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, Djeidi Gassama has not met the expectations of many Gers fans.
Gassama has struggled to make an impact in the Rangers team that tends to dominate most Premiership matches.
In 29 league games this season, the winger has scored two goals and provided four assists.
In reality, Gassama’s glimpses of quality have come few and far between, and the club could still cash in on him.
The club could still secure £3-4 million for the attacker and reinvest it into recruiting a more productive replacement.
Share your thoughts: Which players do you believe Rangers should sell this summer, and why?
