JFK-1 516 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 THE search far and wide started some time ago for Mark Warburton but decisions will soon have to be made closer to home for the Rangers boss. With two deals done, another couple close and at least a handful needed, it is going to be a busy few weeks at Murray Park as a squad is assembled for a shot at Premiership glory next season. The futures of several players still have to be sorted out, though, and here SportTimes looks at those whose deals are due to come to an end after the Scottish Cup final against Hibernian later this month. NICKY LAW THE midfielder is the type of player that should fit into a Warburton squad but he faces an uncertain future as the Gers boss assesses his options for next term. Law has scored just once in 26 appearances for the Light Blues this season and has struggled to break into the starting line-up as he has had to settle for a number of appearances from the bench. After catching the eye at Motherwell, he has suffered the lows and experienced the highs during a rollercoaster Rangers career and he admitted in the aftermath of victory over Celtic that he would like to remain at Ibrox next season. At 28, Law should be playing regular first team football and that is a prospect that appears unlikely with Rangers in the Premiership. DEAN SHIELS FOR the early stages of the campaign, it appeared to be between Shiels and Law who would take over in the middle of the park when Warburton made his customary changes around the hour mark. It could well come down to a straight choice as to who, if either of them, is rewarded with a contract at the end of the campaign. Like Law, Shiels has made most of his 42 appearances this term from the bench but he has often been mentioned by Warburton when he has spoken about the importance of the older, more experienced players in his first team squad. With Matt Crooks and Josh Windass both signed up and a strong interest in Liverpool kid Jordan Rossiter, Warburton is obviously keen to bolster his midfield ranks this summer. It would not be a surprise if Shiels was retained, but it wouldn’t be a shock if he headed for the Ibrox exit door, either. DAVID TEMPLETON THE Rangers career of Templeton will go down as a case of ‘what might have been’. So much was expected, but so little has been delivered. He has never been able to recapture the form that marked him out as one of the finest young talents in the country at Hearts, although he has not been helped by a series of injuries. The arrival of Warburton could have been the fresh start Templeton required, but he has made only three appearances this term and hasn’t been seen on a team sheet since August. A goal in the League Cup win over Peterhead will go down as his only achievement of the campaign, and surely his last for Rangers as he enters the final weeks of his four-year deal. NICKY CLARK THE six goals Clark has scored for Rangers this term have all been important in their own way, but it would appear unlikely they will be enough to earn him a shot at the Premiership as part of Warburton’s squad. He has shown his versatility by playing through the middle or wide in the Gers’ 4-3-3 formation and netted in the crucial win over Hibernian in December and in the final seconds against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup. Warburton needs a quality addition to his attack to provide back-up to Martyn Waghorn next season and Clark will surely find himself out of the manager’s plans this summer. DOMINIC BALL OF all the loan deals Warburton has completed this term, Ball has been by far the most impressive and important for Rangers. The Spurs kid looked solid at centre-back earlier in the campaign but then came into his own when he was moved into the holding midfield berth. He will miss the Scottish Cup final against Hibernian after being booked in the semi-final win over Celtic and his absence, his physicality and defensive work, will be missed. Both Ball and Warburton are open to the 20-year-old returning to Ibrox next season if he can’t force his way into Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. If a deal could be done, the England youth international could certainly play a part for the Gers in the top flight. GEDION ZELALEM THERE is no doubt that Zelalem has potential and he will have benefitted from his time with Rangers as he looks to return to Arsenal and make an impact this summer. He has played well in games for Warburton’s side but has too often failed to influence matches like a player of his reputation should have and he hasn’t scored in 27 appearances for the Gers. Zelalem kept his cool from the penalty spot to help the Light Blues into the Scottish Cup and he may well be handed a starting spot against Hibernian at Hampden. It looks like he will once again head out on loan from the Emirates next season, but the Ibrox crowd are likely to be split on whether he would improve Rangers in the Premiership. BILLY KING AFTER a dream debut as he scored against Falkirk, it has been a low key loan spell at Ibrox for the Hearts winger. King has shown glimpses of what he can do in Light Blue and played his part in helping Warburton’s side over the Championship winning line. But, with no deal in place to sign him in the summer, it is likely to be at Tynecastle where the 21-year-old is lining up in the top flight next term. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/rangers/14481153.Decision_time_looms_for_Mark_Warburton_on_the_futures_of_several_Rangers_stars/?ref=eb Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcbear 10,924 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Add Bell to the above and that should release a huge chunk of wages for proper players. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearson83 1,059 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Can't see ball getting into Spurs first team and would happy to have him back. If rest go am not arsed at all Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterC 12,409 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Would keep Ball and Dean De Boer who will bothndo a job for us next season's. The squad could do with an older head or two and Deano fits the bill for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude 20,026 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Get rid of the lot. Templeton, Shiels and Law have been nowhere near good enough. Clark wasn't good enough to start with despite folk creaming their knickers that he scored 40 goals in Division Two. I'd be surprised if we see the loanees back next season unless they are, for some reason, released by their club. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prso's headband 35,913 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Ball back, Zelalem back if were in Europe. Dean- Thanks, great servant blue to the core. Law- Fuck off heartless mug Templeton- Bye wage thief Clark- Thanks for trying. King- Meh, decent enough but is he next level? Probably not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
legalbeagle 3,734 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Ball has impressed me over the last month or so, wouldn't miss any of the others. Always surprises me how much of an easy ride Shiels gets on here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlBear. 8,499 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Whatever I said in any of the 5 dozen other threads on this subject this season still applies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobham 1,569 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 1 minute ago, legalbeagle said: Ball has impressed me over the last month or so, wouldn't miss any of the others. Always surprises me how much of an easy ride Shiels gets on here. This, I never think he adds anything to a game. Of the above I would only want to see Ball next season. The rest we need to move on and get fresh, hungry, talented players in to replace them! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude 20,026 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 8 minutes ago, legalbeagle said: Ball has impressed me over the last month or so, wouldn't miss any of the others. Always surprises me how much of an easy ride Shiels gets on here. He's, imo, worse than Law. But he's an Ulster-prod... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
K.A.I 36,183 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Happy to keep Law and Ball they are good squad options the rest I would happily see leave Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EatDolphins 5,358 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Would love Ball to come back next season and be released by Spurs. Would take Zalalem back probably. I'd keep Sheils if we really couldn't find anyone else for suitable cover. As someone said above Clarke at least tried his best bit I'm afraid he's not up to standard. Law can go. Not good enough in ability or attitude. Templeton can go and fling shite at the moon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
there'sonlyoneamoruso 1,724 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Ball is the only one I would take back, perhaps Zelalem too. The rest can leave with thanks for their service to the club and all the best for the future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverAndEver 72,128 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 36 minutes ago, Prso's headband said: Ball back, Zelalem back if were in Europe. Dean- Thanks, great servant blue to the core. Law- Fuck off heartless mug Templeton- Bye wage thief Clark- Thanks for trying. King- Meh, decent enough but is he next level? Probably not. Agree with all of this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Walnuts 1,061 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Would take Ball back he's had a great last month or so. Zelalem I always thought would show us some of his potential but nothing so far. As for the rest I would get rid, would also add Cammy Bell to that list. Do we still have Robbie Crawford on the books? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMB 14,167 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Dean Shiels has done next to nothing for four years, is rumoured to be one of our highest earners, and will turn 32 next season. There's younger and better players out there than these guys. Also, why would we need Ball back if we have Rossiter, Crooks, and another CB likely to come in? Get rid of them all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza27 15,333 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I'd keep law for a squad player the rest meh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassaaaa 11,406 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Fire Bell in there and get shot of the lot , we should chuck it now if we can't find better replacements than this lot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Keep King the rest can go Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bears r us 30,997 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I would not keep any of them, we need better (sorry MrC ) players IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
there'sonlyoneamoruso 1,724 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 6 minutes ago, Willis said: Keep King the rest can go Really? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inigo 32,675 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Wouldn't lose sleep over any. We need better quality than they represent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 7 minutes ago, there'sonlyoneamoruso said: Really? Naw am bammin ye up Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMB 14,167 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 14 minutes ago, Willis said: Keep King the rest can go If King was offered to us for free I still wouldn't want him. The boy isn't good enough. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
there'sonlyoneamoruso 1,724 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 1 minute ago, Willis said: Naw am bammin ye up Ya cheeky bugger! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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