9 Rangers contract risks inside Ibrox power vacuum as Clement fear over 'crazy' situation becomes a reality

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Philippe Clement has already warned the Rangers higher-ups about players running down contracts - but the boss will have a creeping case of deja vu with January rapidly approaching.

Borna Barisic, Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Jon McLaughlin, Kemar Roofe and John Lundstram all left the Scottish Premiership giants at the end of their deals - with the Belgian boss branding the situation "crazy" as he insisted there is "a lot of work to be done" on the handling of deals at Ibrox. He insisted Rangers have been "throwing away money" with the club letting a host of big names leave for nothing in recent seasons including the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos - who the Light Blues had received multi-million offers for during their time in Govan.

But a number of players are free to negotiate with other clubs from January with their contracts expiring in the summer of 2025 - with the situation only exacerbated by the exodus of senior figures at the club. Interim chairman John Gilligan has to find a chief executive, director of football operations and head of academy - with fans left wondering who would be left to hand out potential contract extensions.

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Tom Lawrence is among the players who can leave for nothing at the end of the campaign. The 30-year-old has been an ever-present for Clement so far this season - netting four goals to date.

Leon Balogun also faces a nervy wait over his future. The 36-year-old was handed a one-year extension last summer with the centre-back acting as cover for John Souttar and Robin Propper so far this term.

Adam Devine and Alex Lowry had both been tipped as the future of Rangers when they made their breakthrough but have struggled to make a mark on the first-team. Now both aged 21, the duo have only featured for the B team this term with time running out on their deals.

Cole McKinnon has been given the nod by Clement in the first-team - making three appearances under the boss last term. But, with the 21-year-old's last coming all the way back in May it remains to be seen if he will get another chance to impress before the expiry of contract.

Big things have been expected from Zak Lovelace but the ex-Millwall kid hasn't made another top team appearance since he limped off in his big Premiership chance against St Mirren last October. It remains to be seen if Clement will roll the dice with the 18-year-old - or if he will be given another deal and more time to impress in the academy.

Dipping further into the academy, both Paul Nsio and Archie Stevens are out of contract in the summer. The duo haven't made a first-team appearance since 2023 - and face a race against the clock to convince Clement and the Light Blues' academy team over their future.

Kieran Wright has come through the Ibrox youth ranks but has yet to make a top team appearance. Currently on loan at Airdrieonians, the 25-year-old goalkeeper faces a big decision on his future in the summer.

Who will Clement want to keep, or let go? The power vacuum at the top of the club won't make his life any easier but the warning is out there for the club to not repeat the same mistakes.