‘On a hefty wage’ – Pundit links deal talks to form collapse as Rangers exit news emerges today

Derek Ferguson believes uncertainty over his future may explain why John Lundstram’s form has dipped at Rangers as he appears set to leave the club.

The English midfielder has been in talks over an extension to his “hefty” Ibrox contract, set to expire in the summer, with Philippe Clement clear that he hoped the 30-year-old would stay.

But reports emerged from Turkey on 26 April claiming that he has been secured by Trabzonspor alongside defender Borna Barisic.

Ferguson has increasingly been feeling the former Sheffield United player would be moving as the lack of a new deal has dragged on, and is not surprised if he now looks set to be elsewhere next term.

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “It’s interesting that the drop off in form came when he was supposedly in contract talks with Rangers. The contract situation has not been clarified and as a player when you’re a little bit unsure where you’re going to be playing your football next season it can have an effect on you. Maybe that’s why he’s not turned it on in the last few weeks.

“It’s not just Turkish sides but there’s been a little bit of interest down in England. I think he’s on a hefty wage as well at Rangers so there’s a lot of factors to take into account.

“Lundstram’s been good for us in a few different positions but I’ve just had the feeling that because the contract situation’s not been sorted out I can only see him leaving the club, I honestly do.

“He’s one of quite a number of the guys, they get to Rangers, they enjoy playing for them, but it’s a short lifetime you have in football and you’ve got to make the most of it financially, so if he’s got offers down south or abroad he’s got to look after himself, got to look after his family, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s plying his trade somewhere else.”

Philippe Clement set to lose veteran Rangers pair

If Lundstram has more on offer in Turkey then he is well within his rights to take it since his deal in Glasgow is set to expire.

Such a development may have gone down better if he hadn’t made such a point of speaking about his love of playing for Rangers [Rangers Review, 3 January], and indeed if his performances hadn’t contributed to the title initiative being handed back to Celtic.

Clement has spoken repeatedly about his expectation of a deal getting done so the Belgian may be left slightly confused by the fact that it appears not to be happening, but football is a business and that is always the risk if a player’s deal is allowed to wind down.

In other Rangers news, a pundit has shared what he’s heard about the future of an “excellent” exit-bound ace he says the Light Blues need to sign.

GET MORE NEWS ON RANGERS  FC FROM  SPORTNET247.CO.UK