Rangers: Unhappiness at exit-linked John Lundstram situation as boost vs Celtic is lost
Derek Ferguson is “disappointed” that Rangers still haven’t tied up John Lundstram’s contract situation amid links to a Turkey departure.
Philippe Clement publicly stated his “total” confidence in a solution being reached to keep the midfielder at Ibrox on 29 March as talks continue about an extension to his deal, which is set to expire this summer, despite reported interest from Trabzonspor.
But nearly a fortnight later there has still not been an announcement and Ferguson believes a key confidence boost heading into the Old Firm derby against Celtic at the weekend was lost by not getting it done ahead of that game.
The 30-year-old has been a regular starter for Clement and Ferguson agrees he’s had a “fantastic” season, though while he doesn’t think there actually is a risk of the Englishman leaving he feels the situation should have long been taken off the table.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “If I’m honest I’m a wee bit disappointed that it’s not been tied up, even going into the game. I think it [would’ve been] a nice boost.
“There’s a lot of speculation about him going to Turkey, but I think there’s that relationship that he not only has with the manager but with the fans.
“We appreciate him. He’s had a fantastic season. What a way to cap it off with signing a new contract, it’d be marvellous.
“I would just like that to have been tied up with him going into the game, just to maybe give the fans a wee bit of a boost and give Lundstram that confidence boost.
“It’s one that should have been done and dusted. But I don’t think the manager focuses too much on that. He leaves that to the men behind the scenes to get involved in the contract situation.”
Rangers missed a trick over exit-linked Ibrox ace?
Judging by the performance Lundstram, and a number of other senior players, put in during the dramatic 3-3 draw with Celtic it looks like he and they could have done with that boost ahead of kick off.
It is unlikely that the off-day he had in the derby will change Clement’s mind though, with the Belgian as definitive as a manager ever really is in giving his view on the situation, but it has been claimed the club’s original offer wasn’t received well.
It is now at least three months since it became clear that the former Sheffield United man was in negotiations with the club over extending his stay [Daily Record, 20 January], so the continued lack of official news will be a concern to those who don’t want him to leave Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, Tom English has indicated the increasingly controversial Dundee fixture faces issues a third time running.
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