3 Rangers stars that Clement must now ditch in January

The January switch window can’t come quickly sufficient for Glasgow Rangers and Philippe Clement.

Regardless of overhauling the primary crew squad in the summertime, there are nonetheless loads of areas that require main surgical procedure, notably the defence and centre-forward departments.

It stays to be seen simply how a lot cash Clement must spend through the winter window, particularly as a number of million was used to signal gamers resembling Mohamed Diomande, Nedim Bajrami and Hamza Igamane a number of months in the past.

The failure to qualify for the profitable Champions League group phases may set the Mild Blues again considerably, which implies participant gross sales could be the one manner through which the supervisor will be capable to strengthen when the switch window opens in a number of weeks.

There are a number of first-team gamers who’re both failing to contribute, or always injured, who could possibly be moved on in January to boost some funds for brand spanking new signings.

One other one has seen a outstanding drop-off in type in comparison with final season and seems to be approaching the tip of his Ibrox profession.

With that in thoughts, here is a have a look at three gamers who Rangers may promote in January…

1

James Tavernier

This may increasingly appear unlikely, however there are a number of explanation why the Gers ought to money in on their captain in a number of weeks.

Firstly, his scoring fee dropped drastically this season. Throughout everything of 2023/24, Tavernier netted 24 goals and grabbed 12 assists in all competitions, a surprising document for a defender.

He lastly accomplished the home set, scoring the winner within the League Cup closing towards Aberdeen, however with the membership in a title race, his type suffered and Rangers misplaced each the Premiership and Scottish Cup to Celtic.

Curiosity in him was reportedly excessive through the summer season, as Steven Gerrard wanted to lure him to the Center East, whereas Giovanni Van Bronckhorst was keen on signing the defender for Besiktas.

In the long run, no transfer materialised as he remained at Ibrox, however his attacking stats this time period are poor. After 20 video games, the 33-year-old has scored just a single goal, whereas registering 4 assists.

His contract expires in the summer of 2026, which implies January 2025 could possibly be the ultimate alternative for the Mild Blues to safe a good switch price for the previous Newcastle United starlet.

Whereas it appears unrealistic, Tavernier has seemed poor for giant stretches this time period, not providing a lot within the closing third in comparison with earlier seasons.

Age is definitely catching up with him too. Having simply turned 33 in October, Tavernier is approaching the tip, whether or not he likes it or not. He has been subbed off in four League and Cup video games this time period already, greater than the entire of final time period.

If he doesn’t go in January, then certainly the summer season – which has been touted as a potential point of exit – will see Tavernier lastly depart the membership, a decade after he joined.

2

Kieran Dowell

The previous Everton starlet was introduced as a Rangers signing in Could 2023, earlier than the 2022/23 marketing campaign had even completed, as Michael Beale was constructing his personal squad.

In his maiden season, Dowell started just six times, with Beale even leaving him out of the Europa League squad for some unusual cause, hardly the arrogance booster the Englishman wanted on the time.

Round Christmas, with a midfield damage disaster engulfing the squad, it seemed like Dowell may play a key half, even scoring in a win over Motherwell on Christmas Eve.

As soon as others had been match, Dowell suffered his personal damage and played just five times through the second half of the season.

The 27-year-old is incomes £16k-per-week. Contemplating his contributions to date for the Mild Blues, that is definitely a waste of a wage, that’s for positive.

The 2024/25 marketing campaign has brought just two starts – towards St Johnstone and Dundee United – with Dowell failing to document a purpose or help in ten appearances general.

Like Tavernier, he has a contract operating till 2026, that means this winter could possibly be the ultimate likelihood for Clement to maneuver him on and lift some funds.

His presence within the squad is stunting the expansion of kids resembling Bailey Rice and Cole McKinnon, who’re each significantly better choices for the Gers.

3

Rabbi Matondo

Van Bronckhorst signed Rabbi Matondo in the summertime of 2022, paying a fee of around £3m to lure the fast Welshman to Scotland.

Following a season on mortgage to Cercle Brugge – registering 12 purpose contributions – Matondo was seemed upon as an thrilling signing, one who may trigger loads of chaos to opposition defences in Scotland.

It didn’t fairly work out like that, sadly. His first marketing campaign noticed the winger contribute just five assists in 28 video games.

Final season noticed Matondo get pleasure from a constructive begin, scoring his first purpose for the membership towards PSV Eindhoven within the Champions League qualifiers. Earlier than that, he shone within the League Cup conflict towards Morton, with journalist Euan Robertson hailing the player a “bright spark” for the Ibrox facet.

By the tip of the marketing campaign, Matondo had scored six targets and grabbed 4 assists, however damage issues had been proving to be an issue but once more, as the previous Manchester Metropolis gem didn’t safe a constant run within the beginning XI.

The identical issues have persevered this time period. Two goals and three assists in simply six video games is definitely spectacular. Lacking 13 video games via damage isn’t, nevertheless.

Certainly, throughout his two-and-a-half seasons in Glasgow, Matondo has missed a total of 56 games and counting for the membership.

A number of good performances are adopted by a spell on the sidelines, hardly a determine of consistency at Ibrox. Clement could not recoup the £3m that was spent on him, however it’s clear that signing somebody with a greater damage document is unquestionably a precedence.

Time will inform which gamers the Belgian strikes on, however these three are certainly the prime choices with the intention to usher in some much-needed switch funds.

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