The Connor Goldson call Rangers may have to make as business model leaves unthinkable option on the table

The decision to hold on to their stars over the summer and back Steven Gerrard in the transfer market is reaping rewards for Rangers.

The Ibrox club hold a 13 point lead at the top of the Premiership and, even having played two games more than Celtic, are red-hot favourites to take a first title since 2011.

Having endured ‘The Banter Years’ most fans will not be thinking beyond getting over the line in May but off the pitch there may be some big decisions to come.

Having consistently run at a loss, Rangers ‘ path to profitability will have to include boosting revenue by making big profits through player trading.

Captain James Tavernier has shone this season with 16 goals and 11 assists, while Connor Goldson has been an integral part of a defence that’s conceded just three times in the league.

(Image: Rangers FC/PA Images)

However, both players are out of contract in the summer of 2022 and at 29 and 27 respectively are in their peak years.

While the idea will not be palatable to many fans selling the pair has been mooted as the pragmatic way forward for a club looking to avoid relying on the largesse of its investors.

Speaking on the latest Record Rangers podcast Jonny McFarlane said: “I think Rangers should seriously consider, if they win the league as we expect, allowing Connor Goldson and James Tavernier to move on.

“Obviously they’re two of the best players in Scottish football and from that point of view you’d like them to stay.

“But I think if Rangers are truly going to become a proper, functioning selling club and cash in on their best assets then unfortunately the age both these guys are means it’s your last opportunity to do that.

“Both these guys have big market values at the moment and you could sell them and Rangers would get really good money.

(Image: Pool via REUTERS)

“But if they leave it and sign a new deal they’ll be on huge wages going into a period in their career when they’re on the down slope.

“That is, to me, bad business and Rangers going forward need to be about good business.”

Scott McDermott disagreed though, insisting that Steven Gerrard could not afford to lose the entire right side of his defence.

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And while he agreed with the logic, he named some other players who are better candidates to move on.

McDermott replied: “I think you’re looking at guys like Barasic and Kamara to name two.

“The reason I say them is they’re real saleable, valuable assets.

“There will be huge interest in them from the Premier League, both of them are playing at the Euros in the summer which I would like to think would increase their value even more.

“I don’t doubt for a minute that if Rangers get success and these two boys go on to have a good Euros there will be huge interest in them.

“The key thing is, I think Rangers could cope and survive and thrive going forward without the two of them much as they’re brilliant players.”