REBUILD
Rangers boss Michael Beale says the club will undergo one of its biggest rebuilds yet in the summer. More than a full squad of players will be recruited by Beale and his backroom staff in the summer transfer window which will see some the most familiar Ibrox faces leave the building.
On the list of names that will most likely be moving on from Glasgow will include Rangers’ all time European top goalscorer Alfredo Morelos. The striker has netted a total of 22 Continental goals in a Rangers jersey, and could leave the club on a free transfer resulting in the Ibrox side not making a single penny from the Columbian. The Ibrox side will kick themselves for not cashing in when his ticket was hot.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 30: Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos is replaced during a Scottish Cup semi-final match between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park, on April 30, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
SEMI FINAL
Yesterday’s Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic was the final straw for the majority of the Rangers fan base who refused to applaud the team off the pitch as Celtic unlocked the door to another potential treble win – their 5th in 7 years.
The Parkhead side won the game with a 1-0 victory, Rangers were architects of their own downfall as they handed the impetus to Celtic. Daizen Maeda’s quick thinking to pick up a stray ball that should have been cleared by at least one of the four Rangers players who were nearer than he was, enabled him to pick out Jota who converted with ease as James Tavernier switched off completely. “We Never Stop,” referenced by Ange Postecoglou post-match, is more than just a glib soundbite.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 30: Celtic’s Jota celebrates making it 1-0 during a Scottish Cup semi-final match between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park, on April 30, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
EUROPEAN RUN
Last year Rangers were the team to be feared as their European run saw them claim some formidable scalps in the tournament. Indeed, they were just one penalty kick away from claiming the Europa League.
The loss of the influential Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo has been noticeable given the paucity of recruitment. Fast forward exactly a year since the Europa league run, Rangers have an almost identical squad which has been unable to take more than a share of the points from Celtic in their last six meetings.
Almost 50% of the starting 11 for Rangers yesterday will not be part of the squad next season. In Fact it’s highly likely that the front three of Malik Tillman, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos will be a distant memory by the time August comes around.
The Gers boss said in his post match press conference yesterday,
“I think it’ll be the biggest rebuild this club will have seen in a number of years. You have to be respectful. You come here in November, you know that changes are being made everytime I come into a press conference people ask you about it…”
“It’s obvious I’m not going to come out and condemn people or send people away, but I think it’s also obvious that we’re getting to the summer and there’s going to be some change. If you haven’t heard any news now around certain players then it gives you a good indication there’s change in the air”.
