Alan Hutton has warned Josh McPake Rangers could "get rid" if Gio van Bronckhorst doesn't see enough from the youngster.
The midfielder was highly rated at Gers after making his first-team debut last season.
Loans at Morecambe and Tranmere followed stints at Dundee and Morton but the 20-year-old never settled.
He has since been told he is free to leave the Light Blues and Hutton believes he is running out of time to change the hierarchy's mind at Ibrox.
If he can't impress Van Bronckhorst or his Gers scouts, Hutton reckons the manager will take the decision to sell him on.
“There were high expectations for him coming through the ranks," Hutton told Football Insider.
"He did eventually break into the first team.
“But he has had a lot of loan spells, I know he’s only 20. His one at Morecombe ended early because of fitness and lack of game time.
“It’s pretty much happened again at Tranmere. One goal in 13 appearances I don’t think is good enough for somebody that is supposed to have that sort of quality.
“The only thing that he has on his side is he still has two years left at Rangers. He doesn’t have to jump into anything quickly and make a rash decision.
“There’s still an opportunity for him to go and shine but he needs to grasp it with both hands. He is running out of time now.
“The manager, at the moment, is evaluating his whole squad.
"He’ll be sending scouts to go out and watch Josh McPake and everybody else. He will be looking to tie people down for next season. Does he see these guys fitting into his plan, his system, moving forward? If not, then he’s getting rid of them.
“He’s making that harsh decision. As a manager, that’s what you have to do to move the team forward.”
