Clement in 'naive' contract revelation which keeps Gers fans guessing over bumper summer deal
04/05/2024 20:30
Only a few weeks ago did Philippe Clement suggest a new Rangers contract for John Lundstram looked nailed on.
Now the Ibrox manager has begun to somewhat change his tune.
The Scouse midfielder's apparent 'love affair' with Rangers had Philippe Clement claiming via the Scottish Sun that he 'expects' to two parties to thrash out a deal before Lunny's contract expires.
The former Sheffield United midfielder has been a near ever-present for the Belgian boss ever since he came into Ibrox last October.
But amid Trabzonspor links to John Lundstram in Turkey, reports of a three-year deal in the Super Lig have raised doubts over the midfielder's Ibrox future.
And the latest comments from Philippe Clement haven't exactly inspired confidence that this isn't the case.
Lundstram and Rangers ways apart on wages
Speaking ahead of Rangers' visit of Kilmarnock, Philippe Clement was asked directly about the future of John Lundstram.
Claiming that the 'water is too deep' between the two sides as things stand, it suggests that Lundstram's wage demands are not what Rangers are willing to pay.
Whilst the Rangers manager would later go on to claim that contract negotiations for the club's out-of-contract stars are to be shelved until the end of the season, it's clear the situation with Lundstram is coming to a head.
The Rangers manager also failed to rule out of any Trabzonspor move for Lundstram and hinted that the Big Bad John is free to discuss terms wherever he so pleases.
A new contract certainly doesn't look as nailed on as it did when the Belgian addressed the situation last month.
"What I said (about wanting to keep Lundstram) there's nothing official around that," said Clement.
"I'm not naive. The longer that things last the more possibility that other people step in.
"For the moment apparently the water is too deep between the two sides but I see Lunny every day in the say way that he was two months ago, three months go, or five months ago.
"So he's fighting for the club and he's not busy with that. All these players are busy with winning trophies and doing the right things together, otherwise they would not be in the selection."
Clement to free up midfield cash?
Any confidence that John Lundstram might be set to sign a new contract has just about evaporated with these comments.
Not that too many Rangers fans will be devastated.
On his day John Lundstram is a powerful, dynamic, midfield enforcer who breaks up opposition forays into the Rangers half and acts as a springboard for the team to build attacks.
But – as has been the case for the last few games – when Lundstram's confidence goes the midfielder interrupts play with sideways passes, static defending, and a lack of imposition on the game.
An expensive player for the club salary-wise despite signing on a free from Sheffield United, John Lundstram has been unable to prevent Celtic marching to a third straight title on his midfield watch.
If the player is to leave, then perhaps Rangers might be better served by taking a new direction because the 30-year-old, to put it bluntly, hasn't been able to do it when it really matters domestically for the club.
And the former Everton youth isn't the only one.
