There’s a feeling that Philippe Clement might’ve played his hand too early with regards John Lundstram’s Rangers future.
Since the 30-year-old Scouse midfielder’s initial ascent up the marble staircase, the Belgian manager has counted him among his most loyal lieutenants.
Thus, far from being a mere wish, Philippe Clement stated that John Lundstram’s signing a new contract with Rangers was something he “expected” to happen.
However, supporters were questioning the former Sheffield United midfielder’s all-too-familiar decline in form, which has dogged his tenure at Rangers.
When some of the more reliable Turkish sources are included and it is suggested that joining Borna Barisic at Trabzsonpor is quite likely, the situation becomes murky.
Clement would on to assert that, in any event, the waters between the two parties are currently “too deep.”
The Belgian manager has already made a suggestion that he might not be able to control the decision about John Lundstram’s contentious behavior during the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic.
Among the eight losing Scottish Cup “fights” was Lundstram.
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ season-ending Scottish Premiership match against Hearts, Philippe Clement has undoubtedly changed the story at the club.
Even though Celtic had not yet secured the league title—a particularly painful victory for our opponents considering the possible ramifications for the Old Firm legacy—Clement was eager to tout the accomplishments of his team.
The Belgian appears to be even more willing to talk about the significant adjustments that the team needs to make, both in terms of personnel and operations.
But while Big Phil was talking about the club’s injury problems, the manager mentioned that players will be competing for their spots ahead of this Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final, which will catch supporters’ attention in a John Lundstram kind of way.
The midfield player is not only out of training and therefore not eligible to play in the first Old Firm Final in 22 years, but he is also suspended for the trip to Hearts for that red card against Celtic.
Furthermore, Lundstram is not alone.
Indeed, Clement made hints that as many as eight Rangers first-team players are currently ruled out of the Hampden showdown next Saturday.
“It’s a fight for everyone to be in this Cup Final,” Clement remarked. to be there at that historic time.
“No, not everyone at this time since many players are absent and not everyone is training.
“That’s still a lot, because there are people like John Souttar, Goldson, Barisic, Lundstram, Lawrence, Oscar Cortes, Matondo, and Danilo who are not training.”
Will Clement return to his “principles” once more?
Although Philippe Clement hasn’t explicitly ruled anyone out, it sounds like these people are long odds to make it to the Scottish Cup Final.
It’s an incredible way to go out for John Lundstram, who handed Rangers supporters their most memorable moment of the modern period against RB Leipzig.
This season’s Premiership title challenge was effectively ended by the midfielder’s own goal and subsequent red card after what can only be described as a complete collapse at Celtic Park.
Although Clement gently reminded reporters that Lunny and seven of his Rangers teammates were not present, the Belgian had already given a dog a bone.
Clement’s assertion that a player must typically train for a week to ten days prior to being included in his team suggests that this won’t be the first time he has betrayed his “principles” this coming weekend.
“Let’s concentrate on this game with hearts first,” Clement stated. “Next week is the (Scottish) Cup Final.
“This place has taught me more than anywhere else to not look too far ahead, so let’s get started (with Hearts).”
“(God willing) Sima will return to the field for a short while. Very small, but it’s his post-injury first step.
“The same is Ryan Jack. He can also be chosen for a brief period of time.
“And Leon Balogun remains uncertain; we’ll find out tomorrow how he’s doing. However, he is also on the verge of rejoining the team.
But that’s only following a few lessons.
“So in this case, I also had to let go of some of my values.
“Prior to being selected, players had to train with me for at least a week or ten days. Over the past few months, I have struggled to adhere to these standards.
John Lundstram, a midfielder who signed a three-year contract with Rangers in the summer of 2021, has made 152 appearances for the team, including 52 this season.
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