Michael Beale is acutely aware Rangers need to strengthen if they want to get back competing on level terms with Celtic, with his side trailing the Hoops by nine points in the Scottish Premiership title at the halfway point.
Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson confirmed in October that Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos have been offered contract extensions as they look to retain two of their most valuable assets. But speculation continues to mount as they join another seven Light Blues stars who could look to move elsewhere come January 1.
Beale has inherited an ageing Ibrox squad and is about to enter his first window as boss. The former QPR manager made it clear that anyone that comes in next month has to be "starters" as they have enough squad players. And that could pave the way for many of the out of contract stars to be offloaded, if they aren't willing to put pen to pater on a new deal or are deemed surplus to requirements by Beale and his backroom staff.
Here are the nine Rangers players who are free to speak to other clubs from New Year's Day.
Ryan Kent
Kent is one Beale would love to keep at Rangers after the winger proved key to the 2020/21 title success when the Londoner was number two under Steven Gerrard. He has been offered a new deal but his future has yet to be resolved. There has been interest from England and Rangers would likely rather generate cash from his sale in January then lose the former Liverpool youngster for free in the summer. His time in Glasgow has been a success, however, it's been a season to forget so far.
Alfredo Morelos
Morelos has been Rangers main talisman since joining the club in 2017 but has yet to accept a new contract proposal to continue his stay at Ibrox. He became the Light Blues all time top goalscorer after his exploits in Europe last season however his attitude has come into question in recent months which ensured he fell behind summer signing Antonio Colak in the pecking order under former boss Gio van Bronckhorst.
He has come back into the scene under Michael Beale and could still be tempted to put pen to paper on an extension. The option to go elsewhere doesn't seem to go away, though. The Colombian striker has been linked to a host of Europe's top sides and could enter negotiations in January.
Ryan Jack
Jack's time at Rangers has been marred by a number of injuries but when fit, the Scotland international has displayed why he can be a key cog in the Ibrox starting XI.
He has been reliable under Pedro Caixinha, Graeme Murty, Steven Gerrard and van Bronckhorst so Beale will be keenly aware of what he is getting from the 30-year-old, should he be offered to extend his five-year Ibrox stay.
Filip Helander
There's no doubt Filip Helander is a top defender but the Swede has yet to feature this season due to injury, with his last appearance coming in a Premiership clash with St Mirren in April.
And as always when a new manager comes in, Michael Beale will want reliable starting XI players which puts Helander's future in Glasgow looking fairly bleak. Helander, at times, has been a standout but the severity and regularity of his injury woe makes a long-term deal a long shot.
Scott Arfield
The veteran midfielder may have not started as many games as he would like but he has still played an important role in Rangers season, with late goals against Livingston and Aberdeen proving he can still be instrumental at the top level.
But at 34, Michael Beale may want to look to the future which means Arfield could be approached with pre-contract offers or leave on a free in the summer. Arfield was coy when asked but a new deal can't be ruled out.
Steven Davis
Davis may have played his last game for Rangers after the 38-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury.
He is widely considered as one of the Light Blues best ever midfielders but is out of contract in June, with little indication that he will offered a new deal. Retirement could be on the mind of the Northern Irishman.
Allan McGregor
It looked like McGregor was set to end his second Rangers stint as a Scottish Cup winner as he bid farewell at the end of last season. His future remained uncertain after the season concluded before he penned a one-year-contract extension in late June.
Jon McLaughlin started the campaign as number one as it looked like McGregor would be phased out but the former Scotland number 'keeper is firmly first choice once again under Michael Beale. Six months remain on his new deal but it appears unlikely the 40-year-old will extent his playing career beyond this campaign.
Malik Tillman
One of Rangers most exciting summer signings, Tillman has lit up the league with his pace, skill and goals. However he is only at Ibrox on a season-long-loan from German giants Bayern Munich and if he continues his current trajectory, the Light Blues will likely trigger their option to buy.
James Sands
Sands signed for Rangers on an 18-month loan deal last January, with an option to buy included in the negotiations with his parent club, New York City. He has been become Mr. Versatile, playing in both defence and midfield but it remains unclear if Rangers will exercise their option to make his a permanent signing.
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