Five form Rangers stars new sporting director must invite into his office on day one at Auchenhowie
All the focus is on who Rangers could be bringing into the club this summer as another period of upheaval beckons at Ibrox.
A US consortium is closing in on a Rangers takeover that will be the catalyst of sweeping change as the Gers look regain domestic dominance.
The first port of call will be appointing a new sporting director at Ibrox before the club decide on who will be the 20th permanent Rangers manager.
Barry Ferguson is certainly putting in one heck of an audition.
Rangers are then expected to go out and make moves in the transfer market with 49ers Enterprises transforming Leeds United’s fortunes in recent reasons.
But whilst the focus is on who the Gers could be bringing into Ibrox to boost the Rangers squad, the Ibrox side need to be thinking about the contract situation with several players already in Glasgow.
Whoever takes up the mantle of Rangers’ new sporting director will have their work cut out for them the moment they walk in the door at Auchenhowie.
Here are five Rangers stars who they should be striking new deals with pronto to avoid further complications down the line.
READ MORE: How to watch the 11 Rangers internationals representing their country this March
Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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John Souttar
John Souttar has been a monumental figure for Rangers in recent seasons and has just proved precisely why he’s so important during a big week for the club.
The Scotland international, 28, is a crucial player and whilst Rangers will miss Souttar when they play Athletic, they’d miss him even more if he was to leave for nothing.
Rangers’ old contract model was much maligned by Philippe Clement with the club pledging not to let players run into the final year of their contracts.
Souttar has left talks to his agent but the defender is out of contract in 2026 and has yet to sign a new deal at Ibrox.
Reports in the summer suggested Rangers were close to agreeing a new contract with Souttar but so far there has been nothing official to report.
Ridvan Yilmaz
Ridvan Yilmaz is approaching a cross-roads in his Rangers career and this summer is a pivotal one for the Turkish international hopeful.
Finally beginning to get an injury-free run at Rangers, versatile left-back Ridvan been talked up by Barry Ferguson in recent weeks.
Even Neil Lennon reckons Ridvan had Nicolas Kuhn on toast in the Old Firm derby.
Glasgow is blue. Thanks for our all supporters 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/IZnfUJCAeU
— Rıdvan Yılmaz (@ridvan_yilmaz2) March 16, 2025
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Medical issues have hamstrung the player’s three seasons in Glasgow and there could be a feeling of regret if the £5m signing is to leave Rangers without ever really reaching his potential.
At the same time, if Ridvan does not agree terms on another deal then Rangers need to cash in or risk the left-back running down his contract.
The 23-year-old’s current deal expires in 2027.
Nicolas Raskin
Nicolas Raskin is the ‘driving force’ of Barry Ferguson’s Rangers revolution and the Belgian midfielder is making waves at Ibrox this season.
Emerging as a key player in the Rangers midfield, Raskin is with the Belgium national side and making some serious steps in his development this season.
Sun’s out, so are we. 😎 pic.twitter.com/HgpdtMwIt1
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) March 18, 2025
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Now over two years into his stay at Rangers, Raskin is emerging as one of the first names on the teamsheet and a consistent performer at Ibrox.
A new contract would be a symbolic gesture of the commitment of both parties to each other and tie down a player who is fast emerging as Rangers’ biggest asset.
Ianis Hagi
Ianis Hagi looked destined to be leave Rangers last summer after an excruciating few years at Ibrox.
Once amongst the Rangers squad’s most crucial players, Hagi suffered a cruciate ligament injury in 2022 which ultimately disrupted his time in Glasgow.
A loan stint at Alaves in Spain didn’t go to plan last season and this season Hagi propped up the B team as he re-negotiated a wage increase clause in his Ibrox contract.
Since coming back into the team in October, Hagi has been an important player who has helped hammer home the standards of playing for Rangers.
🎙️ “What about that for a strike!”
Ianis Hagi gives Rangers an early lead against Celtic! Watch the Old Firm live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/QB0o5OUlhE
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 2, 2025
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There’s a lot of pain around Hagi’s time at Rangers but there is unfinished business here too.
It probably all comes down to wages v playing time and if Hagi’s camp are angling for big bucks, the Romanian international should probably look elsewhere.
An Istanbul homecoming has been mooted in Turkey, with Hagi’s family having close links to Galatasaray.
Hamza Igamane
Hamza Igamane is only in the door at Rangers one season but the Moroccan hitman is already making a big impression in Glasgow.
Netting the winner in the recent Old Firm Derby victory at Celtic Park, Igamane is a ruthless finisher and a man for the big ocassion.
There’s no doubt the 23-year-old has star quality and there have already been admiring glances in Igamane’s direction from the Premier League.
Igamane is now all set to make his Morocco debut over the next 10 days and there will be plenty watching after that stunning Old Firm winner.
Rangers won’t be able to hold off English millions forever but a new contract would reward Igamane’s progress and ultimately protect the Gers’ interests.
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