Aaron Ramsey to check Juventus’ stance before he decides on Rangers stay
Aaron Ramsey isn’t ready to commit to extending his time with Rangers and will first consult with his parent club Juventus in the summer.
The Welsh star has not so far had the impact that was hoped for when he was announced as a blockbuster January loan signing, but has recently established himself in the first team and scored in the Old Firm derby.
His injury problems have somewhat derailed his career in Serie A, hence both his move to Ibrox and his struggle to get up to speed, so he could be available permanently at the end of the season, but would not be drawn on the prospect.
“Now is not the time to go into too much detail,” he said ahead of the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Braga tomorrow (14 April), via Football Scotland.
“I still have a year left on my deal at Juventus so we’ll have to reassess the situation in the summer and see what they’re thinking.
“We’ll go from there. That’s something to be discussed at the end of the season.
“I’m feeling good. The thing I’ve been lacking over the last few years is consistency. I can still produce the numbers required and I have no issues with that it’s just getting consistency and into a bit of a rhythm.
“I’ve felt better and stronger and the games are coming thick and fast and hopefully I can play and show what I can do.
“I came here to win and to have the opportunity to play and show what I’m capable of doing.
“The main thing was we’re in three competitions and we want to be successful in all of them.”
If the price is right
Ramsey’s undoubted quality had fans and pundits alike envisioning him lighting up the Scottish Premiership for six months when he arrived.
Instead he has only featured in fits and starts, while his side’s title challenge has faded.
But he has now featured in the last four domestic games, and is in line to start in Europe this week.
His huge wages of over £400,000-a-week (BBC) in Turin likely make him someone the Old Lady would like to move on.
Clearly Gers cannot afford anything like that, so a compromise between all three parties would have to be reached.
With his injury history and age he may no longer be able to command a regular starting spot in a top European side, so having settled to an extent at Ibrox and seen the size of the club he could be interested in returning.
Should the Light Blues finish the season without a trophy however, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst may not last, which would add a major variable to the situation.
In other Rangers news, the manager can start his trusted European pairing in the centre of the park as shown in the updated predicted XI for Braga.