A look at what comes next for Rangers when disappointing season concludes

The 2-1 defeat by William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts at Tynecastle on Monday left the Light Blues seven points behind the Jambos and four behind Celtic with three fixtures remaining.

Here, the Press Association takes a closer look at Rangers’ situation.

What next for Rangers?

Another costly rebuild with under-fire boss Danny Rohl who will have absolutely no leeway at the start of next season.

Supporter morale is at rock bottom ahead of the trip to Celtic Park on Sunday, with plenty already looking for managerial change and questioning squad mentality.

Rohl took over from Russell Martin last October when Rangers were 13 points behind Hearts and did well to bridge the gap only to fall apart with post-split losses to Motherwell and Hearts, and a damaging defeat at Parkhead would heap more pressure on him. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss has a lot of work to do this summer.

Defence will require a massive refurbishment

Loan defenders Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Derek Cornelius and Jayden Meghoma will likely go back to their parent clubs.

Many Gers fans have lost confidence in 33-year-old goalkeeper Jack Butland over the last few months and will be looking for him to be replaced.

James Tavernier is leaving at the end of the season after 11 years at Ibrox so a new captain is required with no stand-out candidates in the building.

Dujon Sterling will take over at right-back but his injury record means a back-up will be required while left-back Tuur Rommens, signed from Westerlo in the winter transfer window, is the great hope of the Gers fans but will also need a deputy.

Much-improved centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez, Rangers’ player of the year, is a sellable asset but his departure would leave a huge gap to fill.

Midfield needs fixing

Loanee Andreas Skov Olsen, who has contributed little since arriving from Wolfsburg in January, will go back, as will Spurs’ Mikey Moore, who has been a bright light this season.

As well as those two loan players, Rohl has mixed and matched Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande, Tochi Chukwuani, Thelo Aasgaard, Djeidi Gassama and Connor Barron with occasional sightings of Oliver Antman and Nedim Bajrami but Rangers remain lacking in cohesion, flair, creativity and a steely resolve. That will have to be imported.

Strikers need better numbers

Rangers fans were heavily critical of the enigmatic Cyriel Dessers who left last summer after scoring 29 goals.

Between them this season, Youssef Chermiti, bought from Everton for £8million, Bojan Miovski, £4.2million from Girona, and Ryan Naderi, £4.7million from Hansa Rostock, have scored 28.

Chermiti, like Fernandez, is believed to be a money-maker for Rangers in terms of a potential transfer fee but regardless of whether he stays or goes, at least one new striker with a zeal for scoring is required.

Brazilian striker Danilo is one of several Rangers players out on loan but is unlikely to be the answer, although the return of wide man Findlay Curtis from Kilmarnock should be a boost.