Only a few weeks ago John Lundstram looked nailed on to be handed a new Rangers contract.
The 30-year-old midfielder’s current deal expires at the end of the season and there has been much debate surrounding his impact at Ibrox.
Upon the appointment of Philippe Clement, the ex-Sheffield United midfielder once again began justifying his not insignificant wage to the Rangers team.
Dynamic, athletic and aggressive, at his very best John Lundstram is a swashbuckling defensive midfielder who breaks up play, composes the ball, and springs attacks.
But in recent matches that initial rebirth has slowed and Rangers fans, much like they are with the rest of the leadership group, are raising their John Lundstram contract doubts.
John Lundstram contract talks take Ross County blow
Philippe Clement has previously been clear that he expects John Lundstram to sign a new contract.
John Lundstram too has previously been clear that he’d like to remain at Rangers.
It’s not something we expect to change in the aftermath of defeat to Ross County, but that result has sent a shockwave through the Rangers careers of every man at Ibrox.
The support are finished with those leaders in the Rangers team who do not take responsibility, who bow their heads too frequently, and who consistently crumble in the face of our rivals.
For all John Lundstram has done good for Rangers in his three seasons at the club, the midfielder has been at the fulcrum of a domestic regression which has garnered only two trophies from a possible seven.
With the Scottish Premiership a genuine possibility this season, John Lundstram and co have contrived to blow a golden opportunity and against Ross County, the midfielder’s performance was not good enough.
And he’s not the only one.
Is it time for Rangers leadership overhaul?
The fact John Lundstram is out of contract in the summer presents Philippe Clement with a huge dilemma.
After the defeat to Ross County the leaders in the Rangers squad are firmly in the spotlight with many fans endorsing an overhaul in the summer.
Alongside Borna Barisic, John Lundstram can walk for nothing this summer and save Rangers a pretty penny on wages
The same cannot be said for the likes of James Tavernier or Connor Goldson, who are also in the line of friendly fire.
Not only that, but Rangers could sign Lundstram down on a new deal only for the handsomely-paid midfielder to once again come up short.
Signing Lundstram down on a new deal is a big risk because his track record at the club in terms of domestic success is quite simply not good enough.
You have to feel that unless Rangers can put up more of a fight in this final furlong, any suggestion of a new contract for John Lundstram will be met with fury by fans.
These guys are playing for their futures because Rangers fans have already forgiven them one too many times.
For many, Ross County for was the final straw.
It’s certainly a dilemma for Philippe Clement and it won’t be the only one he lives and dies by at Rangers.
