Only a few weeks ago did it look like out-of-contract Rangers midfielder John Lundstram was going nowhere.
The Scouse star, 30, has not been without his critics at Ibrox with the club letting slip the Scottish Premiership title on the ex-Sheffield United star’s watch.
Whether John Lundstram and his teammates regain it in the final three games of the season could be defining for the Rangers star’s Ibrox legacy.
As Rangers manager Philippe Clement shelves contract talks until the end of the season – Rangers currently have six players out of contract in the first-team – the Belgian’s latest comments on Big Bad John have raised doubts about Lundstram’s Ibrox longevity.
But could a readymade replacement who’s just come onto the transfer market be set to step up into what is a crucial midfield enforcer role at Rangers?
Lundstram Rangers future remains up in the air
First, let’s have a look at that situation with John Lundstram.
After Philippe Clement had claimed he ‘expected’ the midfielder to sign on at Rangers, news of a three-year contract offer from Trabzonspor had everyone thinking twice.
John Lundstram might not strike as the type to play in Turkey for a Trabzonspor but money talks and this will likely be Lunny’s final chance of a big payday in his career.
That paper talk then took a more serious turn when Philippe Clement was asked about the future of John Lundstram heading into the weekend’s clash with Kilmarnock.
“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 same 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.”
Now, with newly promoted Ipswich Town reportedly in the mix, early confidence of a Rangers stay has started to evaporate.
Even if Lundstram once said he wants to ‘end his career’ in Glasgow.
McNair an Ibrox transfer alternative?
Step forward one Paddy McNair.
The Northern Irish international, 29, has routinely been tipped for a move to Rangers but there has never quite been anything concrete in that regard.
That is until this week.
Reports south of the border and in Belfast both mentioned Rangers after Paddy McNair was released at the end of his contract with Middlesbrough.
Signing for Boro in a reported £5m deal after making the breakthrough at Manchester United, McNair spent six years at the Riverside and is now on the hunt for a new club.
For all intents and purposes, it appears Rangers would be an ideal destination for Paddy McNair himself.
The Belfast Telegraph have suggested that the boyhood bluenose would just about walk to Ibrox.
The reports certainly add an extra dimension to the whole John Lundstram contract talks.
Paddy McNair is a versatile player who can play between centre-back and defensive midfield, a role which Lunny has routinely played for Rangers.
There is just one thing though.
As Rangers reel from yet more injury problems at Ibrox, Paddy McNair’s recent medical history doesn’t exactly inspire.
The Ulsterman hasn’t been seen in a Middlesbrough shirt since mid-March with two major injuries seeing him limited to only 21 Championship appearances for Michael Carrick’s side this season.
Conversely, John Lundstram has made a monumental 51 appearances and counting for Rangers.
It means on current form, we’d need two Paddy McNair’s to soften the blow of a prospective Lundstram exit at Ibrox.
