This piece is an extract from yesterday's Rangers Insider newsletter, which is emailed out at 5pm every weekday with a round-up of the day's top stories and exclusive analysis from the Rangers Review team.
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Prior to the international break, Rangers boss Michael Beale outlined his plans to hold conversations with certain squad members to discuss their futures.
Out-of-contract pair Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos are undoubtedly a duo Beale will have spoken to within the last fortnight but there are others who the club may look to move on in the summer.
Ahead of the Motherwell match, Beale was quizzed extensively on the Colombian and if he forms part of his plans for his new-look Rangers. “It's going to be a summer where he's not the only one we're discussing that with, and there are other players in contract that I've had conversations with as well,” he responded.
This line is interesting and in turn, leads to speculation as to who he may be implying. One such player may well be John Lundstram.
The Scouser will soon be entering the final year of his deal and after a disappointing campaign form-wise, Rangers have a big decision to make.
When Steven Gerrard persuaded the midfielder to swap Bramall Lane for Ibrox in the summer of 2021 it was considered a major coup. After two seasons playing in the English Premier League, Rangers were signing a player of great repute that had knocked back the chance to remain in the top flight in England.
His start to life in Govan was difficult as he struggled to live up to the hype but the departure of Gerrard worked in Lundstram’s favour as he became a key player in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side from February onwards.
His match-winning goal against RB Leipzig in the Europa League semi-final on a magical night at Ibrox will never be forgotten - but that seems a lifetime ago now.
The ‘John Lundstram is the best on earth’ chant seems a distant memory as the Englishman has struggled to reach those dizzy heights. When Michael Beale was appointed as Van Bronckhorst’s successor there were concerns he wouldn’t fit within the style of play the former QPR boss was looking to adopt.
Unfortunately, those reservations seem accurate as he has struggled when afforded the opportunity to play in the engine room.
His below-par showing in February’s disappointing League Cup final defeat summed up his season as a whole and the immediate improvement when the entire midfield three was hooked to be replaced by Nico Raskin, Ryan Jack and Todd Cantwell was clear for all to see.
If that triumvirate are fit and available they must play which leaves Lundstram in a vulnerable position. He will undoubtedly be afforded opportunities as a squad member but is he suited to the fast-paced, intense football Beale is hoping to play.
Therefore, with a year left on his current deal, Rangers face a dilemma. Do they offer Lundstram what would be a lucrative extension? Do they allow him to run down his contract? Or should they look to offload an underperforming player?
At this juncture, with Beale looking to revamp the squad then finding a buyer for someone who appears uncomfortable performing in this Rangers team seems the most logical option.
Given his previous endeavours down south, there will likely be a host of clubs keen on acquiring his services so Rangers should expect a decent transfer fee.
Based on current form, he hasn’t done enough to deserve a new contract on what is understood to be a substantial contract. So it makes perfect sense for the Ibrox club to explore potential options for a player who hasn’t looked like reaching the heights we were treated to in the final few months of last season.
He may have fallen in love with the club as he explained in a recent podcast with UFC fighter Paddy the Baddy but Rangers are in no position to be sentimental to out-of-form players. As Richard Gough famously said, Rangers players are not judged by their last game but their last pass. Such is the brutal reality of anyone pulling on the famous royal blue shirt.
The remaining fixtures will provide Lundstram with the chance to change the narrative and endear himself to the Rangers support once more. He has pulled through poor form before but, as it stands and like many currently at Ibrox, his days look numbered.
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