When John Lundstram was given his marching orders against Alashkert in the Europa League qualifying play-offs in August, few Rangers fans would have envisaged the midfielder to be the cornerstone of the team’s run to the semi-finals of the same competition eight months later.
The midfielder’s development since his early struggles at Ibrox has been a sight to behold, becoming the lynchpin in midfield under van Bronckhorst in these memorable European evenings.
But why has the former Sheffield United man thrived in on the European stage?
Lundstram’s flexibility has allowed van Bronckhorst to adapt his system in-game, often moving to a back three to protect Rangers from third-man runs while also simplifying Rangers’ build-up play when opponents push onto both Gers central defenders.
His physicality and comfort in possession has made the transition seamless in European matches, where Rangers can also maintain their aggression without the backline being overloaded.
Lundstram’s ability to cover large distances facilitated Rangers’ high press in the first leg in Dortmund in the last 32, as highlighted below.
With Lundstram pushed into midfield, Dortmund look to play an up, back and through combination to release Manuel Akanji running from midfield.
Calvin Bassey has stayed touch tight with Julian Brandt to prevent the attacking midfield from receiving in time and space. However, this has created a void in the Rangers backline which Dortmund look to exploit.
However, Lundstram is alert to the danger, leveraging his pace to cut out Marco Reus’ through pass into the space between Bassey and Connor Goldson.
By dropping into the backline, the former Sheffield United man can also step out and compress the space between the lines when required.
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He does this expertly in the example below against Red Star Belgrade, allowing the backline to stay compact at a crucial stage in the game after Rangers’ equaliser.
It’s interesting how Lundstram does not immediately step up onto the Red Star attacker between the lines, as he looks to encourage the pass into his feet.
When the pass is played, the Englishman steps infront to recover the ball.
Before using his running power to carry possession 40 yards upfield to launch an attack for Rangers.
The Englishman’s ability to play through pressure as the No.6 also makes it difficult for the opposition to press him effectively.
Equally as strong with both feet, Lundstram can receive possession at a variety of angles in central areas.
As he drops back to receive the ball at the very beginning of the away leg in Braga, the Portuguese side have essentially blocked off access to the opposite side of the pitch.
Lundstram spots this with a quick glance over his shoulder.
Comfortable taking the ball on his left side, Lundstram creates separation from the attacker at his rear by driving into the pressure.
He is then able to pass through the space into Glen Kamara to effectively take four Braga players out of the game…
…Before he receives the return pass and Rangers are eventually able to penetrate the Braga backline.
The ease in which Lundstram can take the ball on his perceived weaker side in tight areas allows Rangers to play through the lines quickly.
In the example below, the midfielder receives after a 1-2 with James Tavernier from a throw-in.
Where most right-footed players would play backwards towards their central defender or spread the ball wide to the left full-back, Lundstram is able to pivot his body to immediately face forwards.
Without needing to shift the ball onto his stronger side, Lundstram can arrow a pass into Joe Aribo in the forward line before he’s pressured from ahead.
Aribo’s flick sends Kemar Roofe through to score, but the forward is adjudged to have drifted offside.
Lundstram’s ability to rake long passes off either foot has also become a huge weapon in Rangers’ arsenal in the Europa League this term.
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In doing so, Rangers can release their biggest attacking threats into space when the game becomes stretched.
In the example below, Kent has become free on the left hand side out of shot.
Under no pressure, Lundstram can ping a perfectly-weighted diagonal out towards the winger.
Even more impressive was his diagonal towards Kent in Belgrade, which underlined his ability to change the dynamic of his side’s attack.
As Rangers attempt to build down the right-hand side, Lundstram provides depth to support the attack.
As he receives the ball, his touch inside with his left foot allows him to step into his next pass…
…Before he floats a well-weighted diagonal pass out to Kent who can isolate his defender.
With his positional flexibility and dynamic range of passing, Lundstram has become an indispensable member of the side under van Bronckhorst in the Europa League.
The Englishman’s athleticism is accentuated in high-level European encounters and, with RB Leipzig expected to pose the toughest test of them all for Rangers, Rangers will hope Lundstram is the glue which can knit his side together on both sides of the ball.
The ghosts of Malmo and Alashkert have been firmly exorcised by the Englishman.
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