It’s looking increasingly likely that Connor Goldson won’t be extending his Rangers contract but will instead see out the remaining 12-months of what could be a huge year for the club.
We are already well stocked for centre-halves but the jury remains out on the likes of Jack Simpson and George Edmundson and their ability to step into the vice-captain’s boots when he eventually leaves.
There is also the chance that we could have to replace Leon Balogun next summer depending on how his body copes with another season and whether or not he gets offered another short-term deal, not only that, but Allan McGregor won’t be around much longer either – the defence could face some huge changes in the not to distant future.
With this in mind, Ross Wilson will no doubt already be compiling a list of potential players that could come into Steven Gerrard’s side and maintain the solid foundation that currently exists, here we take a look at a couple of names that could be under consideration by the Ger transfer supremo:
Simon Kjaer – AC Milan
A long shot but he will be out of contract and 33 next summer, he might want to step down in terms of weekly intensity whilst also still being able to play Champions League football, something that we could guarantee if we win the league. The Denmark captain was exemplary in the European Championships showing leadership skills way beyond that expected of a footballer, his next club will be lucky to have him.
Kyle Bartley – West Brom
Those of a certain age will remember Bartley’s time at Rangers with fondness, a title winner under Walter Smith and who doesn’t remember that tackle on Scott Brown? He’s now played over 200 games between the Premier League and Championship and would only be 31 when his contract expires, on a pre-contract agreement he would be as low a risk as we could get to replace Goldson.
Is £1million a fair price for Kennedy?
Yes
No
Not every signing we make will have the potential to yield a profit, sometimes, when an experienced player leaves, they will have to be replaced with someone similar – I can’t, for example, see us going into a season with Simpson, Edmundson, Niko Katic and Filip Helander as our centre-half group.
Katic will hopefully get a good season out on loan but if Balogun and, more importantly, Goldson, leave, we will need to identify players with similar leadership and positional attributes, their ability on the ball can’t be underestimated. Our sporting director has shown that he is never one to rest on his laurels and it will be fascinating to see how he goes about solving what could be his biggest challenge yet – replacing the heart of the Gers title winning defence.