Graeme Souness defends John Lundstram amid ‘disappointing’ Rangers v Celtic verdict
Graeme Souness has defended John Lundstram after the Rangers star was sent off against Celtic on Saturday (11 May) but admitted it was the correct decision.
Philippe Clement’s side failed to close the gap on their Old Firm rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, losing 2-1 to a Matt O’Riley strike and a Lundstram own goal.
The midfielder was also sent off by Willie Collum for his strong challenge on Alistair Johnston, just minutes after Cyriel Dessers had netted to halve the deficit for the Gers.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Monday (13 May, 11:10am), Souness said: “The sending off… I think it was a sending-off in the modern game. He’s got a nanosecond to decide and thinks he’s favourite for it. The temptation was too great.
“But I think he’s a great player – he does a good job. But he went to ground, and if you do that today, you risk everything. Whoever you’re tackling will make a meal of it, and that’s not being critical of the Celtic full-back. It was just very disappointing.”
Will John Lundstram play for Rangers again after Celtic chaos?
Many fans and members of the media have already called for Lundstram never to play at Ibrox again, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.
The likes of Trabzonspor and Ipswich Town have already been linked with the 30-year-old, which suggests these actions could be his last in a Rangers shirt ahead of the summer transfer window.
It would be a massive shame for his career in Scotland to end like this, especially having earned many plaudits throughout the season for his leadership amidst a tense title race with the Hoops.
However, a player with his experience should know better than to lunge in like he did on Saturday. Of course, he will have been frustrated with his own goal and the score, but the game was over when he saw red.
The Gers have one final chance this season to rectify their subpar performances against their Old Firm rivals with a Scottish Cup final meeting and achieve a feat they have yet to do so far – beat Celtic.
In other Rangers news, John Hartson has shared a new Clement sack verdict live on air after the Old Firm derby
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