John Hartson gives Aaron Ramsey’s Rangers loan spell a scathing review after Europa League penalty miss
John Hartson was disappointed with Aaron Ramsey’s Rangers loan spell but admitted he wasn’t “particularly surprised” by the midfielder’s underperformance.
Ramsey joined Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in January but failed to make an impact at Ibrox due to injuries and indifferent form.
The Welshmen’s Rangers spell was compounded by missing a crucial penalty in the Gers Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Talking on the Go Radio Football Show on Tuesday [24 May], Hartson said: “I wasn’t particularly surprised.
“Everybody thought, myself included that he would have a bigger impact because of his previous FA Cup final goals at Arsenal and some of the things he’s done for the national team.”
He added: “It just hasn’t happened and he’s no Gascoigne at his best.
“He’s no Brian Laudrup at his best.”
Move on
The former Arsenal man’s move to Ibrox had all the hallmarks of a successful match for the club and the player.
A creative British player, with a knack for scoring big goals.
However, Ramsey has really not hit the heights many expected of him during his stint at Ibrox.
Whether it was injuries or a lack of first-team football in recent years, Ibrox did not seem like it was ever going to be the place where he rebuilt his career.
Since leaving Arsenal for Juventus, Ramsey’s career has hit a standstill.
Too many regular injuries and failure to make an impact when given the chance means another summer move is likely.
The Gers will almost certainly look elsewhere in their attempts to bolster their midfield.
Ramsey’s decisive miss in the Europa League final compounded his fairly miserable time in Scotland.
Hartson is bang on, Ramsey is certainly no Paul Gascoigne.
Both Rangers and the Welshmen should forget his loan spell as quickly as possible.
In other Rangers news, the club are ‘not convinced’ by a key first-team player and an early termination of his contract is extremely likely.