Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has axed winger Barrie McKay from his squad for their home clash with Proges Niederkorn and told him to train with the Under-20s squad, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster report on their website that Caixinha has informed the 22-year-old that he will play no part in Thursday’s Europa League fixture despite being included in the Rangers squad list submitted to UEFA.
His order for the midfielder to train with the U20 squad throws fresh doubt on McKay’s future at Ibrox, with the Mail reporting that Nottingham Forest could make a move for the one-cap Scottish international this summer.
The Portuguese manager used McKay sparingly after his arrival to the club in March, with the winger making 46 appearances in total last season, scoring six goals and contributing 11 assists.
McKay will join fellow first team names Michael O’Halloran, Harry Forrester, Joe Dodoo, Rob Kiernan, Matt Crooks as those frozen out of Thursday’s squad, while Andy Halliday is set for a loan spell in Azerbaijan, according to the Scottish Sun.
The 25-year-old midfielder is likely to be the first of many departures this summer as boss Caixinha looks to overhaul his squad, having already brought in eight new faces this summer.
However, a number of influential names have voiced their opposition to McKay departing the club this summer, with Rangers’ icons Nacho Novo and Barry Ferguson both urging Caixinha to keep him at Ibrox.