John Lundstram’s days at Ibrox as a Rangers player “look numbered” according to a new report by Derek Clark as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract.

The former Sheffield United midfielder had been a key member of the squad under Giovanni van Bronckhorst during his 12 months spell in charge of the club, but has fallen down the pecking order since Michael Beale took over.

The 29-year-old is set to enter the final year of his contract this summer and with the club planning to make several changes to their playing staff during the transfer window, Clark has speculated that they could cash in on the former England youth international.

Writing for the Rangers Review (31 March), Clark suggests that there are likely to be plenty of interested parties in Lundstram should Rangers decide to sell and they would expect to get a “decent transfer fee for him”.

It’s believed that Lundstram is currently on a “substantial contract” at Ibrox, and renewing it would tie him down until beyond his prime years on likely high wages.

No room for sentiment

We all love Lundstram and as the article says, the goal against RB Leipzig in the semi-final of the Europa League run will never be forgotten by fans of this football club.

But as we’ve found out in recent times, being sentimental and keeping players around just because they were great once upon a time isn’t going to help us get to where we want to be.

Rangers needs to move with the times and improve the squad as and when it needs doing, not when players decide they’re not able to contribute anymore.

The additions of Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell in January show what we’re capable of doing in the market and both have made us better, and unfortunately for Lundstram it is at his expense.

If an offer comes in we have to absolutely pay attention to it and give it thought, because it may be the last offer we get for him and it could go towards making this team even better for next season.

In other Rangers news, Rangers duo must be wary of greener grass elsewhere after £10m man flopped after Ibrox exit.

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Barry Ferguson has urged Rangers’ recruitment team to “throw the kitchen sink” at signing “truly special” Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Billy Gilmour.

The former Chelsea midfielder has endured a tough 2022/23 season at Brighton and Hove Albion after his £9million summer switch (Sky Sports, 2 September).

The 21-year-old’s fortunes have deserted him in the years since his emergence and he is now a forgotten man at the Amex despite remaining a regular pick for Steve Clarke’s Scotland set-up.

And Gers legend Ferguson says he’d be going all out to sign Gilmour if he was in the club’s recruitment team.

Writing in his column for the Daily Record [31 March], he wrote: “Billy Gilmour is something truly special. I’d go as far as to say he could make a real difference between Scotland just appearing at Euro 2024 in Germany and actually making a memorable mark on the entire tournament. Trust me, he’s that good.

“And, if I was in charge of recruitment at Rangers, I’d be throwing the kitchen sink at trying to give him something to think about. They’d be crazy not to give it a shot.

“Look, it might be too rich for my old club’s blood. I’m not sure if they could match the fee Brighton will demand and they’ll certainly struggle to pay the same level of EPL wages.

“But it’s not about making top dollar right now. It’s about what’s best for Gilmour’s career. If he got the chance to showcase his quality week in, and week out at Rangers he wouldn’t just play his way back into Clarke’s starting XI for the Euros – he’d be able to take his pick when it came to his next big transfer somewhere down the line.”

Get him in

Gilmour has indeed endured a difficult start to his bright career, not being a regular starter for any of the three clubs he’s featured at, and it’s a surprise he’s not a regular at the Amex stadium considering the amount of money Brighton spent on him and his suitability to Roberto De Zerbi’s progressive system.

However, his unique abilities and progressive style would sit Michael Beale’s system at Ibrox too, and it’s why the former QPR boss must make him his top target this summer as the club undergo a stark rebuild.

With both Ryan Jack and John Lundstram in and around their twilight years, the Scottish giants will desperately need to improve and rebuild their midfield options and Gilmour fits the bill right down to a tee.

He’s the ideal age profile, possesses the ability to thrive under Beale and his potential is something Rangers can benefit beautifully out of. Gilmour is also a leader of men at 21 which makes him perfect for Beale’s squad. Get him in.

In other Rangers news, a new up-and-coming manager has admitted he wants the Gers job.

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Rangers forward Ryan Kent is yet to commit to his long-term future at Ibrox and that means the club may make another attempt to sign Swansea City attacker Morgan Whittaker this summer.

The 22-year-old fleet-footed forward was a top target for the Gers in the January window with Swansea City driving a hard bargain and demanding more than the reported £1.5m that was rejected, according to Fabrizio Romano [25 January].

Former Eurosport journalist Dean Jones [GiveMeSport, 24 January] believed that Rangers were going to “push” again to sign Swansea attacker after falling short of the Welsh side’s £2m [The Sun, 16 January] valuation.

However, according to Football Scotland [30 January], the Swans were never willing to sell their star forward and desperately wanted to keep Whittaker as a key player in their squad.

But that may not stop the Gers from returning with another potential bid this summer as one of their star players may be out the exit door at the end of the season.

Kent is out of contract at the end of the season and is currently free to discuss pre-contract deals with interested parties ahead of a potential summer transfer.

Speaking in his press conference on 10 March, Beale revealed that conversations had been held with the fleet-footed forward but no specific contract had been lodged yet – with an eye to opening discussions further in the International break.

But, with the international period over, there hasn’t been a single update regarding Kent’s decision to extend his stay at Ibrox which means Beale and the Gers board should be planning ahead should the worst happen.

Whittaker represents the ideal and perfect replacement for Kent should he decide to part ways.

If Rangers are serious about their exciting squad rebuild under Beale, then they should simply push ahead and sign the talented forward as he could well form a vital part of Beale’s squad for the future.

The 22-year-old spent the first half of the 2022/23 campaign out on loan with the League One side Plymouth Argyle and recorded some stunning goal returns, registering nine goals and seven assists from 25 games highlighting that the youngster will indeed deliver if provided with the confidence and opportunity in the Scottish Premiership.

Beale is indeed forming a brilliant squad so far, with Fashion Sakala, January signings Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell and Bayern Munich loanee Malik Tilman, who is likely to make his Ibrox stay permanent, all impressing under his stewardship.

The former Queens Park Rangers coach has worked wonders with youthful talents throughout his career and given his consistent returns already this season, Whittaker is surely one that would fit Beale’s progressive style as well as excite the whole crowd at Ibrox.

Kent potentially leaving the Gers would be a huge blow, but a succession plan looking ahead to the future will surely impress the club fans and signing Whittaker is a huge step in evolving Beale’s philosophy post-Kent.

In other Rangers news, a new up-and-coming manager has admitted he wants the Gers job.

This article was originally posted here