“He must be sack as well”- After Clement’s sacking, Rangers told  must also get rid of £16k-p/w flop

“He must be sack as well”- After Clement’s sacking, Rangers told  must also get rid of £16k-p/w flop

Although Spring is still a few weeks away, it seems as though Glasgow Rangers’ season may already be all but over.

However, there is a glimmer of hope for the Ibrox club, with news emerging that 49ers Enterprises, led by Paraag Marathe, is exploring a potential takeover of Rangers.

Dave King, the club’s largest shareholder with a 12.97% stake, is eager to sell to the American consortium, while other shareholders like Douglas Park and George Taylor, both with stakes of over 10%, are also involved.

If everything goes according to plan, the takeover could be completed before the summer transfer window, bringing significant changes to the club following Philippe Clement’s sacking.

While a complete overhaul of the playing squad isn’t necessary, it’s clear that some players must be moved on as their time at Rangers comes to an end.

Rabbi Matondo has impressed while on loan at Hannover 96 in Germany, and Ben Davies is helping Birmingham City push for promotion this season. If both continue to perform well, Rangers should be able to cash in on them.

There are also several players still at the club who must be sold this summer, especially since it represents their last opportunity to secure a fee for them.

The High-Earning Player Rangers Must Sell

James Tavernier is a key example. His contract expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, so selling him this summer would allow Rangers to recoup a fee.

Tavernier enjoyed a stellar 2022/23 season, scoring 24 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions—his best season since arriving at Glasgow nine years ago.

However, despite his individual success, he helped the team win only one trophy—the League Cup—and Rangers fell short in both the Premiership title race and the Scottish Cup final.

The captain has failed to inspire his team in recent seasons, and this downturn has continued into the current campaign.

With the domestic season effectively over and European glory looking increasingly unlikely, Tavernier has only managed 14 goal contributions—four goals and ten assists—this term.

There was significant interest in Tavernier last summer, with Steven Gerrard looking to reunite with his former captain, though a move to Saudi Arabia never materialized.

Later in the window, Giovanni van Bronckhorst also showed interest in taking him to Besiktas, but that deal didn’t go through, and he remained at Rangers for the first half of this season.

Tavernier’s performances have been disappointing this season, with his poor showing against second-tier Queen’s Park being particularly notable. He was given a match rating of just 2/10, missing a penalty that could have sent the game into extra time.

While Rangers may not get a substantial fee for him this summer, offloading him and reducing the wage bill could be crucial for the club’s future.

Tavernier Isn’t the Only One Who Should Leave
Tavernier isn’t the only player on a hefty wage without delivering enough on the pitch. Kieran Dowell, currently out on loan, failed to make an impact in Glasgow.

Michael Beale signed Dowell on a pre-contract agreement in 2023, and while he had made 21 Premier League appearances for Everton and Norwich City, his first season at Ibrox didn’t live up to expectations.

Dowell played only 17 times, scoring three goals, and failed to impress either Beale or Clement.

The first half of the 2024/25 season wasn’t much better. Dowell made just 18 appearances, with only three starts, indicating he wasn’t trusted by the manager.

His £16k-per-week wage is hard to justify given his minimal contributions.

In January, Dowell joined Birmingham City on loan for the remainder of the season, hoping to showcase his talents and attract suitors in the summer transfer window.

Kieran Dowell’s Loan Spell at Birmingham
So far, Dowell has played eight games for Birmingham, scoring once and providing an assist.

He has been part of the team’s run to the EFL Trophy final. In League One, he averages 2.4 shots per game, creates one big chance, and delivers 1.6 key passes per match.

Kieran Dowell’s start to life at Birmingham

In Birmingham’s recent EFL Trophy semi-final win over Bradford, Dowell stood out, providing three key passes, delivering three crosses, and making 50 touches.

If he continues to impress in the second half of the season, there will be plenty of potential buyers when the summer transfer window opens.

The move to Rangers looked promising initially, but it hasn’t worked out as expected. It’s time for Clement to cut ties with Dowell ahead of the 2025/26 season.

With 49ers Enterprises potentially investing in Rangers, the club could make some important signings before the next season begins.

However, reducing the wage bill must remain a priority, meaning players like Tavernier and Dowell must be moved on sooner rather than later.