Rangers are ready to sell at least six players this January to lighten their wage bill. The Daily Mail says a number of players are under threat with the absence of European football having cut demands on a squad who played a record 68 games last season.

Midfielder Brahim Hemdani is a top earner and a prime candidate to be heading for the exit door, with Jean- Claude Darcheville another who could prove surplus to requirements come the turn of the year.

Christian Dailly and Chris Burke are others who are out of contract in the summer, while there is an agreement in place with Blackpool that could make Alan Gow's departure permanent for a fee of around £250,000.

Others such as Andy Webster and Steven Smith, who is still out injured, could find it difficult to retain a meaningful future.

David Weir is under contract until next summer, by which time he will be 39, and finding a long-term replacement for the Scotland veteran looks the only significant impending 'gap' in the squad.

Saving wages is important to Rangers given the £12million hole in the budget following the Champions League exit to FBK Kaunas and there might even be a case for selling the likes of Andrius Velicka or Lee McCulloch.