Rangers must secure John Lundstram long-term future to avoid another Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent saga next season
It has been a while since Rangers had a season where there wasn’t a contract saga hanging over their head throughout the course of the campaign.
During the 2021/22 season all the speculation was on whether or not Connor Goldson would renew with the club, while Allan McGregor and Leon Balogun were also spoken about.
In the end both Goldson and McGregor signed extensions with the club, while Nigeria international Balogun ended up signing for Queens Park Rangers and Michael Beale in the English Championship.
All eyes then turned to this season with Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Jack among the first-team players who entered the final 12 months of their deal at Ibrox.
Aribo was sold in the summer to Premier League club Southampton for around £10m, while the other three are still at the club with their futures hanging up in the air currently.
All the talk this season has been about whether or not Kent and/or Morelos will re-sign with the club or leave on a free transfer, despite being among the best and most important players at the club.
It’s been a major distraction for much of the campaign, and it’s hard to argue that it hasn’t had some sort of negative impact on the team’s performances – especially with both players struggling significantly under Giovanni van Bronckhorst prior to his sacking.
But as Rangers lose control of their futures, with both now able to speak to foreign teams about a free transfer from January 1st, they must now take control of things that are still within their reach.
In the summer of 2024 there are more players set to see their contracts at Ibrox expire, including the ever influential John Lundstram.
After joining from Sheffield United under Steven Gerrard’s tenure, the Liverpool-born ace has now become one of the first names on the team sheet either in midfield or in defence.
At 28-years-old, he is currently right in the prime years of his career and Rangers would be absolutely crazy to allow him to leave on a free or for a minimal fee as his contract runs down.
Before we get to that stage, we must begin talks around a new deal and get out of this habit of letting key players enter the final stages of their contract to back us into a hole.
Rangers have a chance to take back control of their destiny, and they should start by giving Lundstram a brand new long-term deal as soon as possible.
In other Rangers news, contract rebel makes decision on future as Rangers transfer edges closer