There’s a feeling that Philippe Clement might’ve played his hand too early with regards John Lundstram’s Rangers future.
The Scouse midfielder, 30, has been one of the Belgian manager’s most-trusted lieutenants ever since the former Club Brugge boss first walked up the marble staircase.
As a result, Philippe Clement claimed that far from just desire John Lundstram signs a new contract at Rangers, the Ibrox manager claimed that he ‘expected’ a deal would happen.
But an all-too familiar downturn in form from the ex-Sheffield United midfielder – something which has blighted his career at Rangers – had fans raising eyebrows.
Throw into the mix some of the more reputable sources in Turkey suggesting a move to join Borna Barisic at Trabzsonpor is very much on the cards, and suddenly the waters muddied.
Clement would go on to claim that said waters are currently ‘too deep’ between the two parties in any case.
Now, the Belgian boss has hinted that a decision over John Lundstram’s controversial involvement in the Scottish Cup Final v Celtic could be taken out of his hands.
Lundstram one of eight losing Scottish Cup ‘fight’
Speaking ahead of the final Scottish Premiership game of the season against Hearts, Philippe Clement has certainly flipped the narrative at Rangers.
Whilst the league crown was still yet to be nabbed by Celtic, a particularly sore title win for our rivals given the potential implications in the Old Firm legacy story, Clement was keen to talk up the credentials of his squad.
Now the Belgian seems doubly eager to speak about big changes which are needed at the club, both functionally and in terms of the playing staff.
But as Big Phil discussed the injury situation at the club, it’s something which the manager said about players fighting for their places ahead of next Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final which will grab the attention of fans in a John Lundstram context.
Whilst the midfielder is suspended for the trip to Hearts for that red card v Celtic, it appears the Scouser is also out of training and, as a result, currently out of contention for the first Old Firm Final in 22 years.
And Lundstram isn’t the only one.
In fact, Clement hinted as many as eight Rangers first-team stars are ruled out of next weekend’s Hampden showpiece as things stand.
“Everybody has a fight to make to be in this Cup Final,” said Clement. “To be at that great moment.
“No, not everybody now because not everybody is training and we are missing a lot of players.
“John Souttar not training, Goldson not training, Barisic not training, Lundstram not training, Lawrence not training, Oscar Cortes not training, Matondo not training and Danilo not training, so that’s still a lot.”
Will Clement once again go back on ‘principles’?
Whilst Philippe Clement has not directly ruled anyone out, it certainly sounds like these guys are Scottish Cup Final long shots.
For John Lundstram, a man who gave Rangers fans their greatest moment of the modern era against RB Leipzig, it’s a hell of a way to bow out.
Having suffered what we can only describe as complete collapse at Celtic Park, the midfielder’s own goal and then red card consigned this season’s Premiership title tilt to the trash can.
But whilst Clement nudged journalists towards the absence of Lunny and seven of his Rangers teammates, the Belgian had earlier threw a dog a bone.
Claiming that ordinarily a player has to have trained one week to ten days before being involved in his squad, next weekend certainly wouldn’t be the first time Clement’s reneged on his ‘principles’.
“Let’s first focus on (the game with Hearts),” said Clement. “The (Scottish) Cup Final is a week ahead.
“I’ve learned here more than other places not to look so much ahead so let’s start (with Hearts).
“(Abdallah) Sima will be back to play some minutes. Very little but it’s his first step after his injury.
“Ryan Jack (is) the same. He can also be selected for a few minutes.
“And then Leon Balogun is still a question mark, we will see tomorrow how he is. But he’s also close (to) coming back into the squad.
“But that’s after just a few trainings.
“So my principles, I had to also throw away some principles in this situation.
“Before players had to train at least one week with me or ten days before they were selectable. I couldn’t follow these rules this last couple of months.”
John Lundstram has made 152 appearances for Rangers, including 52 this season alone, with the midfielder joining the club on a three-year deal in the summer of 2021.
