Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has hinted that the Scottish champions will begin negotiations soon with Super Eagles star, Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent over new contracts.
Winger Kent and midfielder Aribo also have just over a year of their existing deals to run.
Both players have been heavily linked with potential moves back to English football but van Bronckhorst has made it clear he views them as crucial components of his future plans at Rangers.
“I haven’t spoken to them about extending contracts, that’s something the club will do in the near future,” he said. “We just make sure we have a well-planned future. Of course, these are players who are very important for our club and our team.
“I think the talks will begin. Obviously, the players with these qualities you want to have as long as possible with your club.”
Aribo moved to Rangers from Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2019 for a fee of just £300,000.
The Nigerian international playmaker, who has scored 23 goals in 128 appearances so far, enjoyed an outstanding first half to this season to intensify speculation surrounding interest in him from English Premier League clubs.
Meanwhile, Van Bronckhorst has ruled out Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun from the today’s UEFA Europa League clash away to Borussia Dortmund.
Balogun has been side-lined with injury for Rangers while he also missed out from the Super Eagles’ squad to the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
Rangers travel to Germany to face Marco Rose’s side at Westfalenstadion in the knockout stage play-off round of the tournament, and the Gers boss recognises the tough challenges that will be presented.
The Rangers boss gave an update on players returning from injury and their availability for the upcoming European tie.
He said: “Leon [Balogun] is not available for tomorrow but hopefully he’ll be available for next week. Ryan [Jack] trained as normal the last couple of days, he is fit to come with us to Germany.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
