Rangers: Portuguese media slam ‘weak’ John Lundstram for what he did in loss v Benfica
Rangers midfielder John Lundstram has been slammed by the Portuguese press for his midfield display as the Light Blues crashed out of the Europa League against Benfica.
Philippe Clement’s side lost 1-0 at Ibrox on Thursday (14 March) to lose 3-2 to the Portuguese giants on aggregate with Rafa Silva’s second-half strike the difference between the two sides on the night in Glasgow.
While the defeat and the manner of the exit were disappointing for supporters inside Ibrox, the Portuguese media have been quick to criticise Lundstram and his teammates for their poor attacking display on Thursday night.
Portuguese outlet Abola (14 March) claimed that the Englishman’s “weak” shot late in the second half failed to scare Benfica goalkeeper Anatolli Turbin as he picked up an easy clean sheet against Clement’s side.
Similarly, O Jogo (15 March, pages six and seven) gave the 30-year-old a 5/10 rating and criticised Lundstram for gifting the away side possession late in the second half to allow Angel Di Maria to put a dangerous ball into the penalty area.
Will John Lundstram sign a new contract or complete transfer away from Rangers?
Rangers fans have been united in their belief that Lundstram simply has to be handed a new contract to extend his stay at Ibrox beyond the end of the season, but his performance against Benfica showed he isn’t the perfect midfielder.
Even though the 30-year-old struggled to convert his late chance to help take the tie to extra-time, he still ran the game from the Light Blues’ perspective as he completed more passes than any other player on either side.
Defensively, the Englishman got stuck in and battled to break up play. Ultimately, he isn’t in the team to score match-winning goals, his responsibility is to help Rangers move up the field and that’s exactly what he did on Thursday.
Hopefully, talks will continue to tie the 30-year-old down in Glasgow as he is key to Clement’s plans at Ibrox and losing him would be a big step in the wrong direction under the Belgian.
In other Rangers News, Jim White believes Hibernian have gone out on a limb with their new approach to the Old Firm clashes
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