Beale’s big clear out starts with two of his own signings as part of Team Gerrard

Micky Beale is ready to kick start his clear out by binning two of Steven Gerrard’s signings.

As everyone knows the current Ibrox boss was the brains behind Team Gerrard, arranging the cones and bibs at Murray Park, driving recruitment and matchday tactics to deliver one trophy in nine.

Jon McLaughlin was signed as a free agent in July 2020 to compete with Allan McGregor, in January 2021 Scott Wright was bought from Aberdeen as part of the deal that converted Ross McCrorie’s loan into a permanent move.

Last night transfer specialist Scott Burns of the Daily Record announced:

Rangers are set to let Scott Wright and Jon McLaughlin leave – as Michael Beale gets ready to begin his major revamp.

The Ibrox boss confirmed after Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic that his club is facing their biggest rebuild in several years. Rangers have finished the season empty-handed and the manager admitted there could be up to 12 new arrivals – if he gets his way. A deal has already been sealed for Norwich City midfielder Kieran Dowell while talks with Manchester United back-up keeper Jack Butland are also at an advanced stage.

Beale is ready to clear the decks at Rangers and that also includes players who are still under contract. Wright and McLaughlin fall into that category.

Experienced McLaughlin has another year left on his contract, while Wright has a deal until the summer of 2025. They are unlikely to get extended game time and they have a decision to make whether they want to remain on the fringes or to go and get first-team football elsewhere.

McLaughlin has started 10 SPFL matches this season before being permanently binned for a 41-year-old, Wright has started five SPFL matches and was last sighted as an 86th minute substitute at Celtic Park last month.

With a year left on his contract McLaughlin is unlikely to take a pay cut to move elsewhere, Wright has two more years on wages that he won’t get anywhere else.

It seems that Beale is reluctant to make decisions on Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe who are out of contract in May 2024.