It’s a good few months now since John Lundstram made the move from Sheffield United to Scottish giants, Rangers, in the summer.
Lundstram exercised his right to leave Bramall Lane for nothing and duly signed for the Gers. Manager Steven Gerrard is said to have played an important in Lundstram’s decision.
But how is Lundstram getting on ever since leaving the Blades for pastures new with Rangers? Well, we spoke to Jordan Carlisle of the respected Rangers website, Rangers.News, to get the lowdown.
Inconsistent
Lundstram has started to make a bit more of an impression of late. He’s started the last five games in the SPFL. However, Carlisle tells us that things haven’t quite turned around fully just yet for Lundstram.
“Lundstram has had a mixed time so far at Rangers. There’s a real expectation on new arrivals to hit the ground running at Ibrox and the relative lack of other transfer business over the summer meant there was extra pressure on him to come in and show that he improves the starting XI,” Carlisle told Sheffield United.News.
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“He struggled initially and received a lot of criticism after a needless red card on the stroke of half-time in the Europa League playoff first leg against Alashkert in August. Steven Gerrard suggested Lundstram was guilty of trying too hard early on and since moving to a deeper-lying role, he’s generally been much-improved. “
That deeper role is something Blades fans started to see creep in last season at times. Gone was the box to box rampaging bundle of energy we had become used to in red and white.
However, Carlisle says that playing deeper has seen Lundstram improve in a Rangers shirt.
“He was the clear Man of the Match in a narrow win at Dundee last month before looking at ease in a recent EL group stage victory over Brondby,” he adds.
“However, it would be a stretch to say he has 100% turned a corner and is now a fan favourite. He was hooked after an hour in a draw with Aberdeen in midweek and needs to show more consistency going forward if he is to be successful at the club.”
Our View: No surprises when it comes to John Lundstram
Last season became so frustrating when it came to talking Lundstram and will he or won’t he stay. You could see it annoyed Chris Wilder a lot, and it started to grate with Blades fans.
The fact he’s struggling to really make a consistent impression at Rangers is no surprise to anyone really. That’s how he was at Bramall Lane. The odd good game, mixed with the odd anonymous one.
Weirdly, he’d probably fit in well in this Jokanovic side. But he’s made his decision and joined a huge club, so who can really question that?
Rangers fans, though, will definitely be hoping for more from the midfielder as the season progresses.