'I don't think he'll stay at Rangers': Ex-Ibrox ace tips Clement fave for Premier League move
08/05/2024 12:00
If a couple of poor recent performances looked set to make a potential parting of the ways that little bit easier to accept, Saturday’s 4-1 hammering of Kilmarnock provided a reminder of what Rangers may find themselves missing.
Just like last summer, when Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara and Filip Helander departed, 2024 looks set to see yet more farewells from that iconic title-winning side under Steven Gerrard.
Ryan Jack and Borna Barisic are out of contract. So too is John Lundstram. And while the midfielder had fallen short of his usually ‘exceptional’ standards during a terrible run of results which could yet cost Rangers the Scottish Premiership crown, a masterful performance in that Killie killing had a ‘form is temporary…’ sort of feeling about it.
Lundstram’s glorious pass to set up Fabio Silva’s equaliser was one few others in Philippe Clement’s squad would be capable of seeing, let alone executing. It was his fierce drive which helped assist Ben Davies’ second-half strike too.
And while speculation over a move to Turkey has been played down in some quarters, former Rangers winger Jamie Murphy feels that the lure of the English Premier League may be impossible for Lundstram to ignore.
Rangers ace could head to the Premier League
"It depends what he is looking for,” Murphy tells Go Radio.
“Is he wanting to go abroad or is he looking to play in the Premier League? It's a choice he has got to make. I don't think he will stay at Rangers now.
“You see that from all the rumours and stuff coming out. Good luck to him, he has done well for Rangers since he has been there."
According to the Scottish Sun, there is interest from Ipswich Town, Kieran McKenna’s side potentially looking to add some proven Premier League experience to a roster made up largely of players with a background in the lower divisions.
Lundstram, who could join ex-Gers defender George Edmondson at Portman Road, was part of the Sheffield United side who threatened a remarkable assault on the European places under Chris Wilder in those lockdown days.
John Lundstram is an Ipswich Town target
"I'm not naive. The longer that things last the more possibility that other people step in,” Rangers boss Philippe Clement said when asked about Lundstram’s potential departure.
"For the moment, apparently, the water is too deep between the two sides. But I see ‘Lunny’ every day in the say way that he was two months ago, three months go, or five months ago.
"So he's fighting for the club and he's not busy with that (his future). All these players are busy with winning trophies and doing the right things together, otherwise they would not be in the selection."
Rangers could also lose wingers Abdallah Sima and Fabio Silva. Raphael Borges Rodrigues of Australian outfit Macarthur FC is a potential replacement, with his agent confirming that there is indeed interest from Scotland.
