Rangers new signing hailed as ‘fiercely competitive’ by international manager
James Sands arrives at Rangers from New York City with glowing recommendations, none more so than from United States manager Gregg Berhalter.
The 21-year-old has played with some of football’s greats during his time in “the city that never sleeps” but his move to Scotland provides a unique challenge.
Berhalter, though, thinks his experiences in the MLS have set him up well for the move to Europe and he backs Sands to impress in Scotland.
“James, at a young age, has had experiences of being around some really top quality players and that certainly helps him,” Berhalter said as quoted in the Herald.
“Being around David Villa every single day, being coached by Patrick Viera, is helpful and seeing Pirlo and all these top players up close, seeing their training habits and what they bring each and every day is important for a player’s development.”
Vieira-esque
When you see Sands’ stature and play style, you can tell he was formerly coached by Patrick Vieira.
Rangers’ new man is a dominant figure in the centre of the park and even though he is yet to score in his professional career, brings an awful lot to the table.
Gers fans will get plenty of chances to see what he is all about during his initial 18-month loan and crucially, there is an option to buy if he impresses at Ibrox.
It’s important to not just look at goal contributions though when it comes to this type of player.
Sergio Busquests doesn’t score many at Barcelona but is still considered one of the best midfielders in world football after all.
NYCFC’s first homegrown player has already appeared for the US national team seven times along, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021 along with the MLS Cup with his club side.
To already have two trophies on his CV at 21 years of age indicates that Sands can, and will, adapt quickly to Scottish football and become an important player under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
In other Rangers news, Craig Moore thinks the Gers should do everything to sign this “excellent” player in January.