7 Players Can Now Enter Talks to Leave Rangers

The January window is now open for business, and it’s the time of year when clubs look to set themselves up for the second half of the season. Rangers will likely be in the market for reinforcements, but they also have some contract situations to resolve.

It’s a dangerous time of year when it comes to clubs having players who are set to be out of contract. Any player with six months remaining now has permission to speak to other clubs from abroad and are able to sign a pre-contract agreement to leave.

As it stands, Rangers currently have seven players whose contracts expire later this year.

• John Souttar
• James Tavernier
• Rabbi Matondo
• Liam Kelly
• Bailey Rice
• Kieran Dowell
• Kieran Wright

Potential One-Year Extensions

Rangers only have one player, as per Transfermarkt, who is out of contract in the summer that the club has the option to extend by an additional year, and that’s John Souttar.

The Scottish international recently returned from injury, and he’s featured in 11 games for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership so far this season, playing a total of 23 games in all competitions.

Speaking on the defender, manager Danny Rohl confirmed that Rangers are in talks with Souttar over a new contract.

“We are in talks, we are clear what we want to do with him and let’s see now in which direction it goes.”

Considering he’s still an important player for the Glasgow club, you’d imagine he’s a player they are keen on keeping at the club, and they could even offer him a fresh deal rather than triggering the clause.

May Get a New Deal

Perhaps the most notable player on the list, James Tavernier, who earns £30,000-a-week. At the age of 34, Tavernier is reaching the latter stages of his career, but he’s still a key figure for Rangers on and off the pitch. He’s been at the club for over 10 years now and is the club captain, so you’d imagine he’s a player they’d be looking to keep for another year, considering he’s made 33 appearances already this season.

Tavernier was previously a target for Turkish club Trabzonspor, who he would be able to speak to regarding signing a pre-contract agreement this month, so it will be interesting to see if they make a move to secure his signature.

Although Liam Kelly has struggled for game time this season, he could also be offered a new deal. He counts as a club-trained player for their European squad, and if he’s content with being a backup, Rangers will likely want to keep him at the club. Whether Kelly would be tempted by a move if a club opens talks this month remains to be seen, but an offer will likely arrive from Rangers.

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Set to Leave Ibrox

A departure feels likely for another out-of-contract player in Kieran Dowell. Hull City are reportedly interested in signing him on loan for the second half of the season, while he will also have the opportunity to solve his long-term future by holding talks with other clubs.

Rabbi Matondo is another player who is out of contract, and he’s yet to feature for Rangers this season. There’s a strong chance he heads through the exit door, and this month is an opportunity for him to speak to other clubs about a possible move.

That leaves Bailey Rice and Kieran Wright. Rice is a highly-rated young talent who is yet to fully break through at Rangers, but that hasn’t stopped clubs showing an interest. Rangers haven’t made progress over a new deal, and he’s now free to speak to other clubs, while there are sides in the English Premier League who are keen on signing him.