Goalkeepers
It still frustrates me that Alex McLeish did not pick Stefan Klos as Rangers’ first choice goalkeeper at the start of the season. He was a Rangers legend and although “The Mullet” did well at the end of 2004/05, Stefan Klos should have been our number one for this season. There is a chance that McLeish ended Stefan Klos’ career prematurely as he may not come back from a full season of sitting on the bench. I am not Ronald Waterreus’ biggest fan and I would show him the door in May. Waterreus does not inspire the confidence we need from our goalkeeper although to be fair he did well against Villarreal. I am not convinced that Allan McGregor can play at the highest level so I would move him on.
Defence
Olivier Bernard has to be one of the worst players to play for our great club. Stephen Smith is a far, far better left back. We should, therefore, move Bernard on. Big Marvin Andrews is a player who can do a job for us against lesser teams, but he has been disappointing in big games against Celtic and in Europe. I would sell him as he’s not good enough. Soti Kyrgiakos impressed last season, but he has been poor this campaign. He gives away far too many free kicks in dangerous areas and we should move him on. Alan Hutton is our first choice right back and in Alan Lowing we have an able back-up; these players should be marked as being long term Rangers players. Ian Murray’s our most versatile player and he must have a future at the club. I like Steven Smith and he would be my first choice left full back. I also like Julien Rodriguez and I would sign a top class central defender to play alongside him next season. Jose Pierre-Fanfan has not been given a chance but he should get the chance to prove his worth under the new manager.
Midfielder
Fernando Ricksen has disappointed this season. He is a shadow of the player he was last season. There are better players out there so I would sell him. Barry Ferguson, like Ricksen, has disappointed this season but on Tuesday night he played at the level we expect of him. If he plays like that next season and has better players around him we’ll be successful. On the whole I have been unimpressed with Brahim Hemdani. He’s been unlucky with injury and has showed glimpses of what he is capable of. He should be given 6 months to prove his worth. Alex Rae is too old to play for Rangers and it is time to get younger players in. I was happy when we signed Gavin Rae from Dundee as he was a good Scottish born player. He’s been very unlucky with injury. There is a chance he will never return to being a top player, but I hope I am wrong. Another who has to prove his worth to Rangers. Bob Malcolm is another player not good enough to play at Rangers. He needs to be sold! Chris Burke has been one of our most consistent performers this season and he should be another in the long-term Ranger list! I fail to see how Alex McLeish rates Hamed Namouchi so highly. For me he’s an average player who should not have started all bar one of our Champions League games. I would sell him without hesitation.
Forwards
If we had a team of players with the commitment of Dado Prso we’d be a great team. He’s not played that well this season but I expect him to be successful in season 2006/07. I like Nacho Novo but this season he has been very poor. No where near the level of performance that he produced for us last season. He has also started to give the impression he would like to return to Spain. It would, therefore, be in his and Rangers’ best interests to move on. Kris Boyd is developing as a player and he’ll progress into a great striker for us. Thomas Buffel is a player who can provide the spark we need to turn a game around and should be a key player under the new manager. Peter Lovenkrands should be given one last chance to stay but should be moved on if he doesn’t sign a new contract.
Players on loan
Brian McLean has said he would like to permanently leave Rangers and join Motherwell where he is on loan. Any player who wants to leave the club should be allowed to do so as we need players who have the desire to play for Rangers. It looks like Zurab Khizanishvili will join Blackburn on a permanent basis in the summer and I think it is in everyone’s best interests. Two players also on loan, Ross McCormack and Charlie Adam, are players I have liked when I have seen them play. They should stay for next season at least.
Need to be given a chance:
Marc Kalenga, Gary MacKenzie, Robert Davidson, Derek Carcary, Steven Campbell, Dany N'Guessan and Moses Ashikodi have been part of first team squads this season. All need to given a chance to impress.
In conclusion I would keep Stefan Klos, Thomas Buffel, Barry Ferguson, Dado Prso, Alan Hutton, Ian Murray, Kris Boyd, Steven Smith, Julien Rodriguez, Chris Burke, Peter Lovenkrands, Ross McCormack, Charlie Adam and Alan Lowing. The players I would sell (or show the door to if their contracts are up) are Ronald Waterreus, Alex Rae, Soti Kyrgiakos, Fernando Ricksen, Olivier Bernard, Marvin Andrews, Nacho Novo, Allan McGregor, Bob Malcolm, Hamed Namouchi and Zurab Khizanishvili. Players like Gavin Rae, Jose Pierre-Fanfan and Brahim Hemdani must prove their worth!
My recommendations to the new manager would be to sign a new long term first choice goalkeeper. He needs to have good back up for each position. By moving on underachievers, promoting our best young players and bringing in first class new signings we’ll have a squad capable of winning back the SPL from Celtic.