It’s fair to say that Rangers’ out-of-contract player John Lundstram has had an impressive season.
Lifting only his second piece of silverware in three seasons at Hampden in December, it’s a trophy haul that the Scouser would like to improve.Lundstram was named to the PFA Premiership team of the year, with his early performances under Philippe Clement receiving praise from his teammates.
The midfielder’s future at Rangers is uncertain, as another Scottish Premiership season approaches (despite the club’s claims).
Rangers’ Philippe Clement has expressed interest in signing 30-year-old John Lundstram to a new contract.
The midfielder has also been open about his admiration for Rangers.
Should the Ibrox side seriously consider a new deal, given the manager’s recent comments suggesting negotiations are inevitable?
Philippe Clement discusses John Lundstram.
Philippe Clement announced plans to renew John Lundstram’s contract with Rangers before the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts.
The midfielder’s perceived decline in form has prompted criticism, but negotiations have not yet been confirmed.
Nonetheless, Clement has confirmed that Rangers will open talks with John.
According to the Scottish Sun, Clement stated that no further talks have taken place. “At the moment, there will be in the future.
“I know both sides love each other, so I’m expecting a resolution at the end.
“With John, I don’t have many hairs on my head, but none of them doubt his commitment. He adores this club. He is extremely passionate about this club in all aspects.
“You can see it in every reaction at practice, in the locker room before the game, during the game, and after the game.
“You can still go all out for the target you have. There’s no doubt that John does that every day.
Cons of the new John Lundstram contract
Okay, let’s start with the negative connotations of John Lundstram’s new Rangers contract.
There has been a lot of talk about the midfielder in the final few weeks of the season, and it is clear that a deal is in the works.
But that doesn’t mean Rangers fans don’t have issues with the former Sheffield United star.
Quality Control
This is the biggest one.
John Lundstram is a good player who has occasionally demonstrated his ability.
But there have been too many blips and bad patches in the Rangers star’s career, dating back to when he first signed with the club. Alashkert, anyone?
If Rangers had won enough from midfield during his tenure, this could be overlooked. After all, effective midfielders who play 50 games per season are rare.
Lunny demonstrated his talent on the big stage in the run-up to the Europa League Final, but the aggressive, box-to-box midfield lynchpin has been found wanting too frequently in big domestic matches.
If Rangers are to defeat their Old Firm rivals, could Philippe Clement redirect Lundstram’s wages elsewhere to improve this critical area of the park?
Bumper salary
In addition to the quality argument, Rangers are paying John Lundstram well.
Rangers reportedly outbid West Ham to sign Lundstram, who was previously signed on a pre-contract with Premier League Sheffield United.
If reports are to be believed, the midfielder earns around £22k per week, and given that this could be his final lucrative contract, we expect Lundstram’s demands to be even higher this time.
We’re talking about £30,000 per week for a player who has spent three years inconsistently battling Celtic’s dominance.
But do the player’s stats this season suggest that the fee is worthwhile?
| John Lundstram Scottish Premiership 23/24 | |
| Appearances | 31 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 4 |
| FotMob rating | 7.59 |
| Pass accuracy | 88.6% |
| Recoveries | 203 |
| Chances created | 44 |
| Duels won/percentage | 118/51.5% |
Problems with your mind
Another common criticism levelled at John Lundstram is a perceived lack of big game, title-winning mentality.
Rangers fans are sceptical that the midfielder has the mental fortitude to perform well in crunch time, but these concerns are not limited to Lundstram.
The Rangers team, particularly the leadership, has been accused of ignoring critical situations on multiple occasions.
A domestic cup double, let alone a miraculous league recovery, may quell these complaints, but even without it, Lundstram will still have a lot to prove to fans.
Advantages of new Rangers deal for midfielder
To end on a more positive note – because whether you like it or not, the midfielder will most likely be with Rangers next season – here are the benefits of a new contract.
While John Lundstram has faced criticism for poor performances throughout his Rangers career, he has redeeming qualities and big moments.
We can see why Philippe Clement talks about John Lundstram so positively, and here are some of the benefits of a potential new Rangers contract:
Committed to the cause
While some may question John Lundstram’s ability when it counts for Rangers, no one can deny his dedication.
The ex-Everton youth has embraced the Rangers culture and is one of the few players who consistently sacrifices his body for the team.
With 48 appearances in all competitions this season, recent wobbles could be attributed to both physical and mental fatigue.
Routinely playing through injury, never shirking his responsibility (even when playing poorly), and outspoken about his passion for Rangers, there are few players at the club who so openly talk about their commitment to the cause.
| John Lundstram stats all competitions (23/24 in brackets) | |
| Appearances | 148 (48) |
| Goals | 11 (2) |
| Assists | 8 (7) |
| Yellow cards | 22 (5) |
| Red cards | 1 (0) |
| Minutes | 11,431 (4022) |
Experienced campaigner.
Whatever happens at the end of the season, the Rangers are likely to experience a significant amount of change this summer.
The Ibrox club has several out-of-contract players, including expensive loanees who will return to their parent clubs.
Philippe Clement will be busy this summer, and with several veteran stars set to leave, including Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, and Kemar Roofe, John Lundstram offers Ibrox experience.
John Lundstram, who has previously been with the club, understands what it is all about, and a new contract would allow him to instill the club’s values in everyone who walks through the door.
In this way, the midfielder provides an important level of continuity as others leave in a few months.
Leadership credentials
John Lundstram is one of the Rangers’ most passionate and vocal members, despite the fact that the team has appeared to lack leadership at times.
Philippe Clement implied as much in the quotes above.
Rangers fans only get a glimpse into what happens behind the scenes at Ibrox, but it is clear that John Lundstram is an important member of the squad for a variety of reasons.
Rangers require strong leadership if they are to be successful, and while Lundstram still has questions to answer in this regard, replacing him could be huge.
This is especially important if talented individuals like James Tavernier pursue other opportunities.
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