It’s fair to say out-of-contract John Lundstram has had quite the season at Rangers.
Lifting only his second piece of silverware in three seasons at Hampden back in December, it’s a trophy haul which we know the Scouser would love to remedy.
Lundstram too was named in the PFA’s Premiership team of the year, his initial form under Philippe Clement earning the appraisal of his peers.
But with another Scottish Premiership campaign on the brink – the club might say otherwise but it really is a long shot as things stand – the midfielder’s time at Rangers is also up in the air.
Philippe Clement has previously been clear that Rangers are interested in signing a 30-year-old John Lundstram down on a new contract.
The midfielder himself has also been open about his passion for Rangers.
But with fresh soundbites from the Ibrox manager suggesting negotiations are an inevitability, should the Ibrox side seriously be considering a new deal?
Philippe Clement on John Lundstram
Speaking ahead of the weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts, Philippe Clement confirmed plans to negotiate a new Rangers contract for John Lundstram.
Stopping short of confirming negotiations were underway, it comes against the backdrop of criticism for the midfielder’s perceived downturn in form.
Nonetheless, Clement has confirmed that categorically, Rangers are set to open talks with John.
“There have not been any more talks now,” said Clement, as quoted by the Scottish Sun. “For the moment, there will be in the future.
“I know both sides love each other so I expect a solution at the end.
“With John, I don’t have many hairs on my head, but there are none that has a doubts about his commitment. He loves this club. He is full of passion for this club about everything.
“You see that in every reaction in training, in the dressing room before the game, during the game and after the game.
“You can still go full for the target you have. John is doing that every day, no doubt about that.”
Cons of new John Lundstram contract
Ok so let’s start with the negative connotations attached to a new Rangers contract for John Lundstram.
There’s been plenty of conversation around the midfielder heading into the final few weeks of the season and it’s clear that a deal is in the pipeline.
But that doesn’t mean Rangers fans don’t have gripes with the ex-Sheffield United star.
Quality control
This is the big one.
John Lundstram is a good player and at times has shown himself to be a quality player.
But there have been too many blips and bad patches in the Rangers star’s career, stretching all the way back to when he first signed for the club. Alashkert, anyone?
If Rangers had won enough under his watch from midfield then this could be passed off. After all, effective 50-game a season midfielders don’t grow on trees.
Lunny showed his quality on the big stage in the run to the Europa League Final but that aggressive, box-to-box, midfield lynchpin has been found wanting too often against in big matches domestically.
If Rangers are going to topple their Old Firm rivals then could Philippe Clement use Lundstram’s wages elsewhere to upgrade this crucial area of the park?
- John Lundstram’s record v Celtic: 12 games, three wins, three draws, six defeats
Bumper salary
Leading on from the quality argument, John Lundstram is also picking up a healthy packet from Rangers.
Signed on a pre-contract from then Premier League Sheffield United, Rangers reportedly held off the likes of West Ham to get Lundstram to sign a deal.
If reports are to be believed the midfielder is earning around £22k per week and given this might be the final bumper contract of his career, we’d expect Lundstram’s demands to be even higher this time around.
We’re talking around £30k per week for a player who has spent three years inconsistently battling to halt Celtic’s dominance.
But do the player’s stats for this season suggest it’s a fee worth paying?
Mentality gripes
Another common gripe associated with John Lundstram concerns an apparent lack of big game, title-winning mentality.
Rangers fans have their doubts that the midfielder has the mental fortitude to come up big when it matters, but then again these fears are not just concentrated on Lundstram.
The entire Rangers team – and the leadership group in particular – stand accused of bottling it when it matters on more than one occasion.
A domestic cup double – never mind a miraculous recovery in the league – might hold off these complaints but without it, Lundstram will still have it all to prove with supporters.
Pros of new Rangers deal for midfielder
To end on a more positive note – because whether some like it or not the midfielder will likely be at Rangers next season – here are the pros attached to a new deal.
Whilst John Lundstram has at times left himself open to criticism throughout his Rangers career with poor performances, there are redeeming qualities and big moments.
We can see why John Lundstram is talked about so positively by Philippe Clement and here are some of the positives regarding a potential new Rangers contract:
Commitment to the cause
Whilst some might have doubts about John Lundstram’s quality when it matters for Rangers, no-one can argue against his commitment.
The ex-Everton youth has firmly bought into how it works at Rangers and is one of the few players in the team who has routinely put his body on the line for the club.
Making a whopping 48 appearances in all competitions this season, recent wobbles could be about as much to do with physical fatigue as they are to do with mental tiredness.
Routinely playing through injury, never shirking his responsibility (even when playing poorly), and outspoken about his passion for Rangers, there are few players at the club who so openly talk about their commitment to the cause.
Experienced campaigner
Rangers likely face a substantial summer of change, no matter what happens at the end of the season.
The Ibrox club have several players out of contract with expensive loanees also set to return to their parent clubs.
It means Philippe Clement will be busy this summer and with several veteran stars set to leave – Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic and Kemar Roofe amongst them – John Lundstram provides Ibrox experience.
Having been over the hill with the club before, John Lundstram knows what it is all about and a new contract would allow him to install the club’s values into anyone who comes through the door.
In that way, the midfielder provides a crucial level of continuity as others move on in a couple of months.
Leadership credentials
In a team which has looked devoid of leadership at times, John Lundstram is one of the most passionate and vocal members of the Rangers team.
Philippe Clement suggested as much in the quotes above.
Rangers fans only get a glimpse into how things work behind the scenes at Ibrox but it is clear that John Lundstram is a crucial member of the squad for a number of reasons.
Rangers need strong leadership if they’re to be successful and whilst Lundstram still has questions to answer in this regard, replacing his presence could be potentially huge.
Especially if the likes of James Tavernier are tempted elsewhere.
