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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ben Banks

Ryan Kent could lead Rangers player exodus as club hero casts 'Champions League final' next step prediction

Rangers are set for a summer rebuilding job - and the likes of Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo could lead it as they look to build on reaching Seville.

Transfer business has already begun in what is manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst's first summer in charge after taking over last year, with Steven Davis and Connor Goldson penning new contracts.

There is uncertainty over 40-year-old goalkeeper Allan McGregor's future though while Calvin Bassey has been strongly linked with Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa.

Van Bronckhorst's men enjoyed highs of Scottish Cup glory and a Europa League final during season 2021/22 but lost their Premiership crown to Celtic.

Bassey is one player, according to former midfielder Charlie Miller, who definitely won't be there for that task, that includes Champions League qualifiers in August.

And others such as Aribo and Kent could also make way to hand the Light Blues a sizeable transfer kitty. Miller just hopes his former team-mate is backed by the Rangers hierarchy.

Speaking at Cambuslang Rangers' Billy Drummond memorial match, Miller exclusively told Glasgow Live Sport : "I think Calvin Bassey will be away with a £25 or £30 million bid.

READ MORE: Rangers hero Allan McGregor should leave club if he won't be No1 next season says Kenny Miller

"There might be three or four others who could go. Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo, Allan McGregor. It's a bit of a rebuilding job for Giovanni.

"But with the wages they recoup and transfer fees they get for these players, it should give him a hefty budget, especially after the European run.

"The board have backed Steven Gerrard over the last couple of years so hopefully they can back Giovanni. Hopefully he gets his signings right."

Miller spent six years at Ibrox and left in 1999, but he's always kept close tabs on his former side, following them to Seville for their first European final since 2008.

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It ultimately ended in heartbreak as Aaron Ramsey's penalty miss led to a shootout loss against Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Getting there though was an outstanding effort and that can only be built upon by reaching the pinnacle of continental football.

More realistically, stopping Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou will be on the cards. The 46-year-old just hopes their title charge holds up longer than his phone did in southern Spain.

He said: "You build on it (the Europa League final) by getting to the Champions League final! No, the league is the most important thing.

"Winning the Europa League would have been amazing but unfortunately it wasn't to be. Seville was a great achievement in getting there but once you get there, you want to win it.

"Frankfurt wanted to win it too and it was a 50-50 game. The Germans on penalties are always strong and unfortunately Aaron Ramsey missed one, which is sad.

"I was gutted. We were disappointed but it was a great achievement from the boys. It was a lovely place Seville but it was a nightmare getting out of it. Google Maps doesn't really work in Seville!"

"It was a decent season. Rangers need to win the league, it is as simple as that. Giovanni will be gunning for the league."

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