Following our rundown yesterday on the futures of the goalkeepers at Ibrox and their prospects at Rangers, we move on to part two- defenders. Who will be holding the backline next year and who should be shipped out the door as the rebuild begins.
Lets break it down.
James Tavernier – Go
Tav has been underappreciated and over-criticised throughout much of his decade at Ibrox. After a tough couple of years adapting to the topflight post-2016’s Championship win, he developed remarkably under Steven Gerrard, far beyond what most supporters ever expected.
While he's not as decorated as we’d have liked, reflecting the club’s overall underachievement in recent years, there’s no question that if every player in that period had shown his drive, commitment, and quality, we’d have been far more successful.
However, the last 18 months have marked a clear decline. His pace has faded, and his goal and assist numbers have dropped sharply. Though his defending has generally improved, he remains prone to lapses, especially at the back post, a long-standing flaw.
Realistically, he should have departed alongside Connor Goldson last summer. That moment has now passed, and it's beyond time for a change. Tav deserves to leave with his head held high. History will be kinder to him than the present discourse, but a new era demands a changing of the guard.
The club cannot fully move forward while symbols of past failings remain. Fair or not, Tav has become emblematic of a period of disappointment. The noise around him must end. For the benefit of the squad and the club.
Ridvan Yilmaz – Go
This signing made sense on paper. A young, modern, energetic full-back intended to replace the declining Borna Barisic. It looked like smart business and that’s the story of Ross Wilson’s time at Ibrox, good on paper, poor on the park.
It just hasn’t worked out for the Turkish international. A combination of injuries, inconsistent form, and being overlooked by successive managers has stunted his time at Ibrox. Three years on, he’s never fully established himself.
That said, he remains a sellable asset, still young, with attributes that could appeal to buyers across Europe. We should cash in now, while his value holds. A move back to Türkiye with Besiktas or Fenerbahçe could be potential options.
Robin Propper – Go
Another move that made sense in theory: a left-sided centre-back, captain of an Eredivisie side, coming in to add leadership and stability to the back line. A natural partner for John Souttar on paper.
But Propper simply doesn’t suit Scottish football. He hasn’t looked comfortable in the physical, fast-paced environment, and with rumours of a return to FC Twente circulating, a swift exit would suit all parties.
He's a good defender, just not the right fit for Rangers, or for our league.
John Souttar – Stay
The big Scotsman has an error in him, yes, but with a solid, regular, and reliable partner beside him, he could be so much more than he’s been able to show during his three years at Ibrox.
Big John has his flaws, but the positives still outweigh the negatives in his play. He is fearless, possesses leadership qualities, and is a threat in both boxes. These attributes, along with the fact that he seems to have overcome his previous long-term injury woes, mean he should be given a chance to prove he can be what we all hoped he’d be: the Scottish representative of a solid, title-winning Rangers team.
With Balogun away and Propper on the verge of returning to Holland, Souttar will be the main central defender heading into pre-season and should hopefully have the opportunity to form a strong partnership with a new, reliable, high-profile centre-back.
If he doesn’t cut out the silly, goal-leading errors, his place is far from guaranteed. Once new faces arrive, he could easily find himself on the fringes.
Clinton Nsiala – Stay
Arriving to some fanfare last summer from AC Milan under Philippe Clement, many fans expected the Frenchman to be the next incarnation of Calvin Bassey and were shocked to see him struggling with the B-team in the early months of the season.
Thrown in at the deep end during a mid-season central defensive injury crisis, expectations were low. However, barring a horror-show first half away to Kilmarnock in Barry Ferguson’s opening game as interim boss, Nsiala showed he had the composure and potential to be a real asset at the back for us.
Still extremely raw, a loan move could be an option for the youngster. But with new, quality defensive reinforcements on the horizon, Nsiala may be best served continuing as the fourth-choice centre-half, learning from the first-team regulars and aiming to stake a serious claim for a starting role the following year.
Dujon Sterling – Stay
With Tav hopefully setting off into the sunset we will need cover at right back and Sterling offers quality on that flank. Shouldn’t be our starting right back but offers excellent cover and a challenge for whoever does come in to play that role.
Injuries remain an issue, and should they remain so he should be moved on this time next year but for now he deserves the chance to prove his fitness and worth at Ibrox.
Jefte – Stay
Should a bid come in for Jefte that exceeds our valuation then he should be sold of course. But despite the errors and lapses in concentration there is serious potential there with the Brazilian and we should persevere with him for at least another year.
With Ridvan out the door he will be the undisputed number one left back at Ibrox, and then it’s a case of sink or swim. While he may sink, he does posses all the attributes desired in a modern full back and could easily push on like we all hoped he would upon first sighting last July.
Ben Davies – Go
It’s never worked out for the former Liverpool defender and Rangers should take whatever Birmingham, where he spent last season on loan to much acclaim, offer and run to the bank.
Leon King – Go
Poor Leon has been handled horribly by the club and a succession of managers. A title winner from our 55 season when he first broke through under Steven Gerrard he was highly thought of and was chased by numerous English Premier League clubs.
However, he just hasn’t kicked on for a number of reasons, many not his fault. He was thrown in to our disastrous 2022/23 UEFA Champions League campaign and while he acquitted himself decently at times, he was not ready for that level, and his confidence clearly took a knock.
Over the subsequent years he’s had injury woes, and has been moved position numerous times, but has never been trusted with a run in the starting lineup.
He should have been loaned out years before his eventual move to Queen’s Park at the end of last season and it was too little too late for him at that stage, fans had their minds made up.
It’s time for Leon, for his own good, to move on permanently and find regular action. The only case for him staying his due to his home-grown club trained status but it would be harsh on him to keep him around and not let him finally, go and develop.
Robbie Fraser – Stay
No more loans for young Robbie, he has one year left on his deal and it is time to either make it; or to not. He should be Jefte’s opposition for the left back spot this year and be given the chance to stake his claim.
Do feel he needs to bulk up to make it in our league but 6-months in the Championship with David Martindale’s playoff winning Livingston will have done him no harm on that front.
Zander Hutton – Loan
Youngster who made some European squads last season. He’s had experience around the first time and it’s an ideal time to get him a loan to the Championship and see where he stands upon his return.