Rangers should allow Bruno Alves and Russell Martin to depart this summer

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Rangers lingering title hopes in the Scottish Premiership were put to bed at the weekend.

A 1-0 loss at Ibrox to Kilmarnock put the final nail in that respective coffin.

After the game, there were fingers being pointed among the Rangers fans but two players that certainly came under criticism online were defenders Russell Martin and Bruno Alves.

The veteran defenders have both had equally frustrating seasons at Ibrox.

Alves, a Portugal international legend, has battled niggling injuries throughout the campaign.

Martin, who arrived from Norwich City on loan in January, has not shown the best of his ability.

Unfortunately, for both men, age is doing them no favours.

Alves used to have a genuine turn of pace but, at 36, is no longer a spring chicken. Martin was never blessed with blistering speed but since his arrival at Rangers has looked increasingly leggy.

Rangers fans are certainly of the belief that the future is the way to go for the club.

The Gers have some excellent young talent at centre-back. David Bates is looking like a future regular, while Ross McCrorie is also a talent that the club has high hopes for going forward.

Whilst Rangers might be wary of removing experience from the centre of defence other options should be pursued in the summer.

Allowing Alves to go, clearing his wages from the salary, and not signing Martin would leave the Glasgow club with money to spare.

Bringing in an experienced defender in their late 20’s would be a much better move at Ibrox, allowing Bates and McCrorie to share the rest of defensive duties.

If there is to be a shakeup among the Rangers defence this summer, allowing both Alves and Martin to go would not be a terrible idea for whoever takes charge of the first-team.

It is time for Rangers to keep things fresh at the back and get back to pursuing Celtic in the Scottish title race on a regular basis.