RANGERS were able to fend off interest in their prized assets during the summer as Steven Gerrard added further strength and depth to his squad for his third term as boss.

But figures for the last financial year highlighted the importance of player trading at Ibrox in the coming seasons as Rangers look to balance the books and lessen the requirement for finance from Ibrox investors.

Gerrard will once again be determined to retain his stars during the January window to give Rangers the best chance of silverware success but it would be no surprise to see high-profile exits at the end of what supporters hope will be an historic title-winning campaign.

Here, Herald and Times Sport looks at the key men Rangers may have to move on next term to improve their finances and fund the next phase of the squad development.

BORNA BARISIC

The left-back has become a hugely influential performer for club and country over the last two seasons and a successful European Championships for Croatia will see his value rise even further.

Barisic has all the attributes necessary in a modern full-back and could easily slot into most sides in any of the top leagues around Europe given his strengths both defensively and in an attacking sense.

Bought for around £2million from Osijek in Gerrard’s first summer, Rangers could look to easily make a profit six or seven times over on Barisic.

GLEN KAMARA

The best bargain buy that Rangers have made for quite some time and there is no doubt the profit margin on his £50,000 fee from Dundee will be huge.

A host of clubs in the Premier League, plus the likes of Juventus, have been credited with an interest in Kamara and the Euros next summer give him the platform to convince suitors that he is ready for another step up.

The bidding must start at eight figures given that, at just 25, the Finnish international certainly has his best years ahead of him.

RYAN KENT

The £7million fee that Rangers paid to bring Kent back from Liverpool on a permanent basis was a substantial investment, but even at that level they will not lose money on the winger.

A £10million bid from Leeds last summer just wasn’t going to cut it and another several million will need to be added on top of that given Kent’s ever-increasing levels.

The premium attached to English players should apply to a 24-year-old that is more than capable of playing in the Premier League and he is the most valuable asset Rangers have.

ALFREDO MORELOS

Many thought that the Colombian wouldn’t be at Ibrox by now but Rangers stood firm amid interest from Lille last summer. It remains a matter of when, not if, Morelos leaves, though.

His value and importance to Rangers regularly fluctuates but another goal-laden Europa League campaign might just be enough to tempt suitors to go higher than the £16million that Lille put on the table.

This will surely be the last season for Morelos at Ibrox but time will tell how much profit Rangers make on their £1million purchase price.