So much talk around Rangers in recent weeks has surrounded what players are, or in some cases are not, going to be at Ibrox next season.

Understandably Joey Barton has been a hot topic of conversation given his reputation and ability. We’ve also had speculation about various others, including Niko Kranjcar.

But one of the best things I’ve heard so far this summer is that Rangers have opened discussions with Lee Wallace about extending his deal with the club that runs out next summer.

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When everyone else was jumping ship at Rangers Lee stayed and said ‘you know, I’m delighted to hang around and help us get back to the top again’.

Glasgow Times: Lee Wallace

He’s loving it. Reading between the lines he loves the training, loves the way the manager has the team playing football. Why on earth would he want to leave at this stage of his career?

He’s 28 so this will probably be his last three-year deal at the big time. He’s a fit lad, maybe he’ll go for longer but you just don’t know. It’s an important time for him.

If he’s going to move it’s now, but if he stays he’ll be at Rangers for the majority of what’s left of his career. That’s what I’m hoping for.

He’s the captain of Rangers Football Club, you have to remember that. There’s not many captains that don’t stay for a lengthy period and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t sign up.

I think the manager is absolutely right to try and extend his terms and hopefully get him on a three-year deal because he’s been outstanding.

The majority of punters will be delighted as well. They have a lot to say on what goes on around Rangers these days and who is brought in. The manager has signed some great players, but to get Lee signed on again for another three years would thrill everyone as a great piece of business.Glasgow Times: Lee Wallace with the Petrofac Training Cup

Since he first came in to Rangers, Lee has just got better and better. Under Mark Warburton, he loves the position he’s playing in and the way he’s playing it. He’s allowed to get forward because he knows because there are holding midfielders he can push up the park.

It allows both full-backs to attack and you can see Lee enjoys it. He probably scored more goals this season than in any other, which is fantastic. And we’re not talking about penalty kicks either, they are from open play.

First and foremost, for me if you are in a back four of a club you have to defend. If you can get forward and set up or score goals, it’s a huge bonus. Lee covers these categories.

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Is he the greatest defender Rangers have ever had? No, probably not, but he is a very good one. The fact he can push forward down the flanks is a big thing though, and Mark obviously encourages that.

If Lee does put pen to paper on a three-year deal and goes on to stay the full term, it means he will have been at Rangers for eight years. It is a massive chance to achieve something long-lasting on a personal level.

When you see some of these players that are in the Rangers Hall of Fame, I reckon 95 per cent of them deserve to be there. However, there are others who got included purely because of the time they stayed at the club and did a turn because they stuck by the club for the majority of their careers.Glasgow Times: Lee Wallace in action for Rangers this season.

I think if you are captain of Rangers and go through seven or eight years bringing good success, as well as sticking by the club for those long four years down the leagues when you could have left, you are entitled to think you can get in that Rangers Hall of Fame. Lee would deserve it.

Most managers and coaches will tell you that you are at your peak at the age Lee is entering at the moment. I think if he signs on Rangers may well get the best out of Lee Wallace.

He will be well experienced, he’ll be back in the top league again, and he’ll have better players round him. It will be a different Rangers next season.

They also don’t have another left-back, maybe that’s a problem they’ve had in the last few years. He very rarely misses a game for them through injury or for any other reason, his record is fantastic.

Given all of these factors, I really do think Rangers should push out the boat. It goes without saying, they will want to keep him and I’d imagine 99 per cent of the lad will want to stay as well.

He’s in with the bricks, he’s the captain of the club. Even speaking to the media, I’ve noticed a huge difference and he’s turned into a very mature young man on and off the park. He knows what the football club is all about.

If someone like that wants to stay there and he’s at the peak of his powers, then they should push the boat out to keep him there.