Have Rangers fans forgotten about prize asset?

If one thing is standing out about many fans’ projections of players making the cut under Steven Gerrard, it is the absence of Declan John from nearly everyone’s thinking.

Whether this is forgetfulness or wilful choice is unclear, but it seems more than a bit surprising that few fans think Rangers’ most consistent performer last season is good enough to make the cut for the new era.

Let’s not forget – he got called back up to Wales, and not only started but played magnificently in a team which included Gareth Bale on the same flank, while producing 99% solid performances for Rangers while he was at it.

Indeed, his quality was obvious and it appeared Lee Wallace would struggle to regain his place. He did, as it turns out, but for entirely different reasons!

The only poor performance we can remember from John all season was the 4-0 at Hampden in the semi in which he was left exposed by his then manager’s dire tactical mistakes of not giving him much backup against Moussa Dembele or Tom Rogic.

But other than that? Consistently this season our best defender.

Do Rangers fans really not want him for the new season?

We’re not going to get Marcelo any time soon I’m afraid, so a Wales international whose career has finally got going is not a bad option to have.

Naturally it is down to his new manager – Steven Gerrard may deem John not good enough. That’s fine. We’ll kowtow to that.

But we’re a little puzzled as to why so many supporters have cut him loose despite being one of our best players.

John didn’t let us down at all. Surely he deserves a little slack?