MICHAEL Beale has paid tribute to the quintet of departing players as they prepare to bid farewell to the Ibrox crowd in tonight’s Scottish Premiership clash with Hearts.
It has been confirmed that Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Filip Helander will leave the club upon the expiration of their contracts at the end of the season, each of whom have played a significant role in the club’s recent journey.
Speaking to RangersTV to reflect on the contributions of each player, Beale commented: “It’s a time for the fans to show their appreciation to five players who have given fantastic service to the club. Each of them have played a significant part in the journey of this club over the last seven years, while Allan has played over two spells. It’s always sad at this time of the year when players are moving on, but these five players in particular have made fantastic contributions to our football club.”
On McGregor, who departs the club having recently been inducted into the Hall of Fame, Beale reflected: “He’s had an unbelievable career. He is an Academy player who has come through, took the first-team shirt when he was 20, and he hasn’t looked back. He’s won everything there is to win, playing in finals and he has represented his country. Allan will rightly be known as one of the greatest goalkeepers to play for our club, and one of the greatest in Scottish football history. He will leave us this summer with a lot of pride and fantastic moments in his career.”
Morelos, meanwhile, will bid farewell to the club after a terrific six years in Govan where he surpassed Ally McCoist and became the club’s all-time record European goalscorer.
Beale continued: “For the outlay that the club originally paid for a striker who was coming in as an unknown, he’s the one player that we inherited in 2018 alongside James Tavernier, whereas everyone else has come in. His contribution has been enormous to the club; his goals, personality and character. He has a very different persona to the one that the media push. He’s the joker and always high on energy and personality, and he’ll have a highlight reel for the ages with some of the goals that he’s scored. When people look back at his Rangers career, they’ll look back very fondly on Alfredo. He’s one that the fans will miss dearly.”
The Colombian will depart the club alongside Scott Arfield, whose goal contributions from midfield have been crucial for the Light Blues over the years both domestically and in European competition.
“[Scott] is an unbelievable person,” Beale added. “He is very unique in all of my years in football to come across someone with his energy, personality, and what he gives to his teammates. He has a hugely famous celebration that we will hopefully see one more time in a Rangers shirt. That decision really pulls on the heartstrings, and it took a lot of conversation on both sides about what’s right for Scott and Rangers. We got there in the end, very amicably, and he was fantastic through the whole process.”
Ryan Kent initially joined the club on loan in 2018, impressing sufficiently to sign permanently for the club the following summer.
The 26-year-old went on to play a significant role in the club’s 55th league title success in 2020/21, while his pace and trickery provided the cutting edge for the Gers in their memorable run to the UEFA Europa League final last season.
On the departure of Kent, Beale said: “Ryan came in as an unknown, and he was a young player that I knew from Liverpool who had been out on a lot of loans. We brought him in because we knew he could be exciting and take players on. He plays with real energy for the team and has moments of magic. The big thing about Ryan is that he plays for the team, he works very hard in every game.
"He’s had some outstanding moments in big games, both domestically, certainly in Old Firm games, and in Europe. He’s helped take our club back into Europe and become a strong team in European competition. At 26, Ryan needs this opportunity to go play somewhere else and find that motivation and energy again. We wish him really well.”
Helander, meanwhile, was a consistent presence at the heart of the Light Blues defence in the Invincible title-winning season, with a spate of unfortunate injuries depriving him of the opportunity to regain his place in the squad.
The Gers boss continued: “When Fil arrived at the club, he was a big signing coming out of Serie A. He was a Swedish national team player and we were delighted when he came in. He formed a formidable partnership with Connor Goldson which was the bedrock of the Invincible league winning team.
"He is going to end his time at Rangers with an incredible record in terms of games per wins and losses, and probably one of the most unique records of any player. The last couple of years have been bitterly disappointing for Fil and his young family. Him and his family have really enjoyed their stay in Glasgow and it’s sad to see him leave. He’s at a stage now where he will begin his rehab and we wish Fil well in the future.”
Beale also confirmed that Steven Davis, whose contract is also expiring, remains in discussion to continue working with the club’s medical staff to support his return to full fitness following a long-term ACL injury that he sustained earlier this season.
However, the Gers boss insists he’s hugely encouraged by the future direction of the club despite the departures, with summer recruitment plans already in motion.
He concluded: “The first thing that I would like to conclude on that is that those players have been fantastic on and off the pitch for this football club. It’s the right moment for the club, albeit with tough decisions to move in a new direction with some players coming in, just like those guys did, who will bring real energy, quality and class.
"We know it’s a sad time right now, but simultaneous to that you’re meeting players who are coming in who have that real energy and excitement to come into Rangers and make a significant difference. These times of the year are always difficult, but this summer particularly with the boys that are leaving. But if we look to the future, I’m hugely optimistic about the future of Rangers because I know the calibre of player that we’re trying to recruit this summer.”