Kris Commons believes that Glasgow Rangers' Champions League exit could see players leave Ibrox before the end of the transfer window.
The Lowdown: Gers out of Champions League
After winning the Premiership last term, the Gers were entered into the Champions League third qualifying round, where they faced Malmo over the past two weeks.
However, they fell at the first hurdle, losing both games 2-1 against the Swedish champions. Steven Gerrard's men will now face Alashkert over the next fortnight for a place in the Europa League group stage.
The Latest: Commons expects Ibrox exodus
Writing in his column for The Daily Mail (via Glasgow Live), five-time Premiership winner Commons believes that the Gers could now need to sell players. He said:
"The implications for Rangers of not getting to the Champions League group stage are huge. It changes the dynamics within the club.
"If you do reach them, you are suddenly in a position of massive strength with tens of millions of pounds at your disposal.
"I've no doubt Steven Gerrard and the Rangers hierarchy would have had a blueprint of top-quality players they were looking at attracting to help them compete at that level.
"But not qualifying is almost like taking one step forward and two steps back.
"Now you don't have the money for transfer fees and wages for those players, and those people you would have been interested in are no longer going to want to come. You are also likely to find yourself on the receiving end of bids for your top players.
"Potentially the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent or James Tavernier could leave if acceptable offers come in.
"Gerrard has already acknowledged that when he spoke in the wake of the 4-2 aggregate defeat to Malmo.
"But players could also leave if they decide they want to be playing Champions League football and they're not going to be getting that at Rangers."
The Verdict: Big few weeks
Commons certainly makes a good point. The Gers' failure to reach the Champions League group stage may well have deprived them of upwards of £30m (BBC) - huge money for any club in Scottish football. Not only that, but several players may now be looking to leave Ibrox given that they will not be playing at European football's highest table this season unless they leave Glasgow.
In the likes of Morelos, Kent and Tavernier, the Gers do have several assets with whom they could part ways. However, this season could well offer the best chance possible for the Gers to reach their objective.
If they retain the Premiership title, they will almost certainly be in the Champions League group stage next year without having to pre-qualify. As such, they must do all they can to hold on to their star players to give them the best possible chance of such success.
In other news, an update has been provided on Alfredo Morelos' future.