Alious“Brutal Truth Bomb: Ex-Rangers Star Names the Survivors and Doomed as Thelwell’s Rebuild Begins – 11 Must Stay, But the Rest? Get Them Gone!”
With a pivotal summer ahead, Rangers’ new chapter under American ownership is taking shape—and Kevin Thelwell, lured from Everton, has been handed the massive task of overhauling the Ibrox squad. Former Rangers midfielder, now Falkirk man, Scott Arfield has weighed in with a no-nonsense assessment: a select few are worth keeping, but many simply don’t meet the standards Barry Ferguson demands.
According to Arfield, Ferguson has been forced to rely on a trusted core group, while too many others have underdelivered. Thelwell’s job is now to clear the deadwood and bring in players capable of finally breaking Celtic’s stranglehold on Scottish football.
Here’s Arfield’s brutally honest breakdown:
Keep and Build Around:
– Jack Butland: After a tough season, the keeper still has massive potential and should bounce back in pre-season.
– John Souttar: Brave, vital, and one of the few consistently reliable defenders—he must stay.
– Niko Raskin: A midfield gem inexplicably frozen out recently, but key for the new manager.
– James Tavernier: The polarizing captain still contributes heavily—especially in goals—and deserves more respect.
– Oscar Cortes: Though injury-hit, the club is committed financially; now it’s a matter of unlocking his potential.
– Connor Barron: Not flashy, but essential for balance. Adds value with his off-the-ball work.
– Clinton Nsiala: A raw talent with both promise and rough edges. Worth refining.
– Dujon Sterling: Versatile and committed, but injury-prone. He’s worth another shot.
– Leon Balogun: Veteran leader who thrives in big moments—still useful unless a top-tier replacement is signed.
– Liam Kelly: Currently in fine form and could be No.1 going forward.
– Bailey Rice: Young, elegant, and full of potential—needs game time to flourish.
– Vaclav Cerny: The standout performer this season. If affordable, he’s a must-keep.
Sell if the Price is Right:
– Ridvan Yilmaz: Excels going forward but defensively vulnerable. A sale could recoup a decent fee.
– Cyriel Dessers: Strong goal numbers but perhaps not the right fit. Time to cash in.
– Mohamed Diomande: Talented, but timing a sale right could help with FFP and club income.
– Jefte: Fast, yet defensively shaky. His lapses have cost the team dearly.
– Hamza Igamane: Once red-hot, now cooled. If a good offer comes in, take it.
– Ross McCausland: Struggling with second-season syndrome. Game time might be hard to come by.
Time’s Up:
– Robin Propper: Classy but too slow for the Scottish game.
– Nedim Bajrami: Inconsistent and unsuited to the league’s physicality.
– Tom Lawrence: Injury-ridden spell. A talent never fully realised.
– Ianis Hagi: Technically brilliant but out of contract and likely to move on after wage issues.
– Danilo: Flashes of ability but hasn’t justified the price tag—needs a fresh start elsewhere.
As the Rangers revolution begins, Arfield’s message is simple: act fast, act decisively, and stop Celtic from pulling further ahead.
Alious
