Andy Walker wowed by brilliant John Lundstram in Rangers clash v Celtic live on Sky Sports
And Walker has heaped praise on Rangers midfielder John Lundstram for his “brilliant” left-footed strike which set up Todd Cantwell’s opening goal in the Old Firm derby against Celtic on Saturday (13 May).
Michael Beale’s side got off to the perfect start at Ibrox, taking the lead after just five minutes through the former Norwich City playmaker.
Picking up the ball on the edge of the Celtic penalty area, Lundstram sent a powerful strike heading towards the top corner of Celtic’s net, forcing Joe Hart to parry it out into the six-yard box and Cantwell to subsequently slam home.
“That’s a brilliant hit from Lundstram, there’s a lot of pace on it,” Walker said live on Sky Sports [13 May, 12:38pm].
“Can Joe Hart do better? Can he get a better angle?
“There’s a great strike from Lundstram.
“I think if you look at the angle that Joe Hart has here with his body in front of him. Joe Hart will want to get a better angle on the shot, but all credit to that initial power and that finish, it’s a difficult ball for Cantwell.
“The Celtic defence don’t get out, he’s nowhere near any hint of offside. That’s a really good finish, through the legs of Hart and Rangers go in front.”
Great strike
Lundstram isn’t renowned for his attacking prowess and has come in for criticism this season, however, on this occasion he delivered an absolute arrow of a strike with his left boot, which Hart had little option but to parry out straight into the path of Cantwell.
Alongside Nicolas Raskin in the middle of the park, both Cantwell and Lundstram were immense in the first half of the Old Firm clash, helping Rangers to take a great grip of the game and take a 2-0 lead after just 33 minutes.
The former Norwich City ace has started to move from strength to strength in recent weeks under Beale and is starting to look an absolute steal of a transfer.
The 25-year-old has already delivered four goals and four assists from just 13 appearances for Rangers this season and looks a shoo-in for Beale’s revamped side next season.
Lundstram would have done no damage to his chances of a longer-term future at Ibrox, with the midfielder out of contract in 2024, but yet to pen any new terms with the club.
In other Rangers news, a £20million transfer budget has been mooted to complete all of the necessary business during the window.