Clinton Nsiala was absent from Rangers' latest training gallery today ahead of the Gers’ match with St Mirren on Wednesday, with other players understood to be outside Derek McInnes' first-team plans, Ross McCausland and John Souttar, both featuring in the club's images.
Nsiala's omission comes with his future at Ibrox increasingly uncertain, with interest from Cyprus understood to remain relevant before the domestic transfer window there closes.
The defender has been linked with a move to Omonia Nicosia, and our previous report detailed the possibility of Nsiala heading to Nicosia as Rangers look to find a solution for the 22-year-old.
The Cypriot champions sold Nikolas Panayiotou to FC Utrecht, with the left-footed centre-back completing a three-year move to the Dutch club with an option for another season. Panayiotou had made 150 appearances for Omonoia before leaving the club.
Nsiala is a left-footed centre-back himself and remains outside McInnes' first-team plans at Rangers, meaning a move could appeal to all parties if a suitable offer emerges.
John Souttar Ibrox exile
Souttar's situation is also well established, having been left out of Rangers' European squad and told by Derek McInnes that his long-term future would be best elsewhere, while McCausland has likewise been linked with a potential departure despite the closure of the Scottish window.
McInnes spoke about Souttar’s future earlier today, saying the Scotland international has had, and continues to have options to depart Ibrox.
“He still has good opportunities, there’s still an opportunity to move, there’s a couple of windows, a few windows still open across Europe, and there is a few things looking possible for John,” the manager revealed.
“I don't want to speculate how much that is, but I think there is one or two things that he's quite keen on, and one or two things that's maybe getting a wee bit of traction.
“Of course, our window to bring players in is shut, but there’s still that possibility for John, and probably for him to go and get regular football and peace of mind, that might be the best option for him.
“But if he doesn't move, and there isn't anything that materialises, then of course we honour the contract, and he comes back into things.”
Bomb squad featured, bar Nsiala
However, the latest training gallery provides an interesting contrast - Souttar and McCausland are visible, while Nsiala is not.
That does not, on its own, confirm that a transfer is imminent for Nsiala, but his absence comes at a time when Rangers are continuing to work towards reducing the squad and with the window in Cyprus open until September 9 for permanent deals and September 14 for loans, it is entirely possible that his absence is related to travelling for a move.
Add us as a preferred source on Google