MIDDLESBROUGH manager Chris Wilder has revealed that he considered making an approach for John Lundstram in the January transfer window.

Wilder knows the midfielder well from their time together at Sheffield United and says he is thrilled to see his former player now thriving at Ibrox after being given a run in the first team.

It wasn't so long ago that Lundstram's future in Govan had serious question marks hanging over it. The 28-year-old struggled to make an impression in the first half of the campaign and when Steven Gerrard joined Aston Villa and Giovanni van Bronckhorst was appointed as his successor, he found his game time limited initially.

There were rumours circulating in January that the midfielder could end up leaving Rangers to return down south and Wilder admits that he weighed up a move himself.

And while Lundstram enudred a slow start to life in Glasgow, Wilder is thrilled to see his old player now finding his feet.

"John was a sitting midfielder at Oxford United and did well," Wilder told the Daily Record.

"He could have played as a No.6 for us at Sheffield United as well but he was probably more of an eight, a box-to-box guy. He has great energy to get up and down the pitch.

“In the modern era we get caught up in this argument: ‘Is he a six or an eight?’

“I just think he’s a really good player. What’s wrong with that?

“He can play in a two or a three in midfield and he’s old-school. He’s like a throwback to Robson.

“He can pass it, he can head it, he can tackle and he can get in the box to score. He can do everything.

“But we seem to have got away from this notion of just being a good, proper midfield player. That’s what John is.

“I watched his goal against Dortmund and it was brilliant. I messaged John after the game because he’s such a good lad.

“Going to a club like Rangers is the ultimate test in such a pressurised situation. But I’m not surprised that he’s now doing well. He’s athletic, a good passer and a real modern-day footballer.

“At Rangers the expectation is to hit the ground running. When that doesn’t happen and you’re out of the team it can be difficult for a new player.

“But John is now getting a run, like he did with us, and he feels like a big part of it. That’s why you’re seeing the best of him.

“It was very similar when he came to Sheffield United.”

Wilder continued: “I thought about going for John again in January when he wasn’t playing.

“There would have been many admirers down here trying to get him back. But he’s been patient, he’s back in the team and both John and Rangers are getting the rewards now.”