John Lundstram was wanted by Middlesbrough before Rangers revival, Wilder confirms
Rangers midfielder John Lundstram was on the radar of English Championship side Middlesbrough in January while he wasn’t in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team.
Boro manager Chris Wilder worked with the Englishman at Sheffield United when they recorded a very impressive season in the Premier League two seasons ago.
Their sophomore year in the top flight didn’t go as successfully and Lundstram left to join the Light Blues as the Blades were relegated at the end of last season.
Wilder confirmed he had considered a move for the 28-year-old in January when Lundstram couldn’t get a game at Ibrox.
“I thought about going for John again in January when he wasn’t playing,” Wilder said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“There would have been many admirers down here trying to get him back. But he’s been patient, he’s back in the team and both John and Rangers are getting the rewards now.
“Going to a club like Rangers is the ultimate test in such a pressurised situation. But I’m not surprised that he’s now doing well. He’s athletic, a good passer and a real modern-day footballer.”
Nearly a bust
Had Lundstram reunited with his former manager in January, it could have gone down as one of the worst bits of transfer business Rangers had done in recent years.
He could hardly get a game and on those rare occasions he did play, he was failing to make his mark as everyone assumed he would.
Steven Gerrard had almost given up on him and van Bronckhorst didn’t start him as soon as he walked through the door either.
But he showed tremendous heart and determination to prove the doubters wrong and he is rightfully starting regularly again for the Glaswegians.
The 28-year-old has begun to show why he was signed from the Blades this summer and fans will be counting their lucky stars he didn’t leave in January right now.
In other Rangers news, van Bronckhorst has shared what he told his players at half-time during the 1-0 win against Aberdeen yesterday.