Glasgow Rangers face one of their most important matches of the season on Thursday as they welcome Benfica to Ibrox.
A win of any kind will see the Gers progress into the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the second time in three years and set the club up for a hectic climax to the season.
The job Philippe Clement has done during his first six months in charge of the Light Blues is nothing short of remarkable.
The Belgian manager will face various challenges over the next few months, especially with regard to improving his squad in the summer transfer window.
There are a host of players out of contract at Ibrox come the end of the season and Clement will need to replace them should they move on.
Out of contract Rangers players in 2024
Last season, Michael Beale faced a similar situation. In the end, players such as Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Filip Helander and Scott Arfield were not offered extensions and departed the club.
In total, six players are currently out of contract at the end of the current season and, as it stands, will leave Rangers.
Player
Club joined from
Games played
Kemar Roofe
Anderlecht
97
Borna Barisic
NK Osijek
230
Jon McLaughlin
Sunderland
46
Leon Balogun
QPR
79 (across two spells)
Ryan Jack
Aberdeen
210
John Lundstram
Sheffield United
143
Via Tansfermarkt
Jon McLaughlin, Kemar Roofe, Ryan Jack, Leon Balogun, Borna Barisic, and John Lundstram are the six players, and in reality, only the latter will be offered an extension due to his impressive form under the Belgian tactician.
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With trophies to be won and continental progress to be achieved between now and May, Clement may not look to throw Yfeko into the deep end, especially with the form that Yilmaz is showing.
He should be encouraged about his prospects heading into the future, however, as Clement has given plenty of able youngsters an opportunity in the first-team squad, and they have not let him down yet.
It is time Barisic moves on from Rangers so that the club can unearth a new generation of player. The Croatian has been a wonderful servant for the Light Blues over the previous five and a half years, but to move forward, Clement has to make some big decisions and this means losing the full-back this summer.