Rangers are preparing a renewed effort to tie down Connor Goldson on a new deal.
But the Premiership champions will also make plans for the possibility he will leave for nothing in the summer.
Protracted negotiations between the 29-year-old's camp and Ibrox bosses have yet to yield an agreement.
Goldson remains a big player under new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Rangers are not looking to cash in this month, despite the player being free to sign a pre-contract elsewhere as he enters the final six months of his deal.
The Ibrox hierarchy remain relaxed about the situation.
They want and hope that a breakthrough can be made in the current contract situation but the priority remains trying to retain the title and the automatic jackpot of Champions League qualification that comes with it.
Rangers don’t want to lose Goldson on a free but would rather lose him in the summer than for the final run-in.
The Light Blues might not get a fee but feel they have had good value from the £3 million that Steven Gerrard paid to get him from Brighton back in 2018.
Van Bronckhorst is also looking at potential long-term replacements with Hearts defender John Souttar under consideration.
The Scotland star is also set to become a free agent in the summer.
Blackburn Rovers have already offered a pre-contract and Nottingham Forest is set to do the same this week.
Meanwhile, Leon Balogun could now be available for the next Old Firm showdown.
The big defender has pulled out of Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations squad through injury.
The 33-year-old has not featured under new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst after he suffered an injury in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Hibs.
Balogun has decided after discussions with the medical teams of both sides to come out of the Super Eagles squad.
He is back training but is likely to be eased back in gently.
Nigeria have three group games in the space of eight days and that along with the travelling could have had a big impact on the Rangers star.
Balogun is likely to be eased back into van Bronckhorst’s side after the winter break.
Rangers return against Aberdeen, have Stirling Albion in the cup and Livingston and Ross County before the trip to Parkhead on February 2nd.
Balogun dropping out of the Nigerian squad could open the door for Jack Simpson to go out on loan earlier in the window.
