Rangers: Beale must ditch £51k-p/w duo
Glasgow Rangers boss Michael Beale will likely be sweating on the long-term futures of both Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent, with the duo still yet to commit their futures to the Ibrox outfit.
What’s the word?
It remains to be seen if the two men will remain in Glasgow beyond the end of the season due to their expiring contracts, with Gers chairman Douglas Park having only recently hinted that the players’ demands could well be “unattainable”.
The aforementioned Beale also stated upon his return to the club that he would “ideally” like to keep the pair with the Old Firm outfit for the long term, albeit while having acknowledged that both men are “capable of more” amid their current woes.
Transfer insider Dean Jones – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has now provided his verdict on the situation, with the journalist stating that the incoming coach will likely be keen to see a resolution to the current situation sooner rather than later.
“He [Beale] wants to know very quickly what the situation is here with both of these players because it’s very influential as to how you’re going to shape up the rest of your squad too, but they can also have a massive impact on the rest of the season,” Jones stated.
Ruthlessly ditch dud duo
Despite Beale previously admitting that he would like the two men – who are earning a reported £51k-per-week between them – to remain part of his plans moving forward, the 42-year-old may well have to be ruthless and move the misfiring duo on in January if they remain uncommitted to the cause.
In the case of Morelos, the Colombian striker has endured a torrid start to the campaign after scoring just three times in 19 games in all competitions, having notably been dropped earlier this season by former boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst regarding fitness and attitude concerns.
The 26-year-old has notably been described as looking like a “pub amateur” by journalist Graham Spiers following his particularly limp Champions League displays in the group stage – in which the former HJK Helsinki man failed to register a single goal contribution – having lost his place in the side behind summer signing, Antonio Colak.
Although there may well be a desire to try and rejuvenate an asset who has scored 115 goals for the club to date, it could prove an opportune time to start afresh and boldly ditch the polarising marksman.
The same can seemingly be said of teammate Kent – who has been linked with a Premier League move of late – with the Englishman having also endured his own dismal run of form in the early months of the season, having been described as the club’s “biggest failure” by pundit Frank McAvennie.
The former Liverpool gem was also said to have “disappeared” in the 7-1 drubbing at the hands of his former employers, in the words of pundit Neil McCann, with the 26-year-old having also failed to register a goal or an assist in Europe this term.
FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Although the Oldham-born speedster does have six assists and a goal to his name in the top flight, it may well prove hard to rely on a player who is potentially thinking about pastures new heading into the second half of the campaign, particularly should no contract extension emerge.
Should Beale wish try and put his own stamp on the current squad, he could seemingly be best served allowing the duo to depart in the New Year, with pundit Gabby Agbonlahor suggesting that the “inconsistent” forwards “need to go”.
As Rangers look to improve upon a frustrating and disappointing start to the campaign, getting both Morelos and Kent out the door could well be a good place to start.