Shock POTY contender as Rangers star shines

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Shock POTY contender as Rangers star shines
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 24: John Lundstram of rangers is seen during the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play-Offs Leg Two match between Rangers FC and Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox Stadium on February 24, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Yet another world class performance from John Lundstram last night has so many Rangers fans continuing to eat humble pie over the signing of the player who they couldn’t have driven to Glasgow Airport quick enough 6 months ago.

If one player has absolutely bloomed into an elite player, a true zero to hero growth it’s Lundstram, who consistently and reliably produces a level that defies so many fans’ expectations when they took at face value how poorly he was managed by Steven Gerrard.

When Lundstram joined Rangers, he got placed in an advanced midfield role, stuck in front of Steven Davis who slowed him down and castrated his game.

In simple terms, the ex-Sheffield man couldn’t play alongside Davo, and fans slaughtered him as a donkey, not realising Davis’ play was slowing Lunny down, and he was occupying the same space which Lundstram thrives in.

The few times Lunny played as a 6 under Gerrard, he was stellar, outstanding, and fans saw the reality of his quality.

Unfortunately, Gerrard went back to wasting him, to persisting with Davis, but specifically to using Lunny beside the NI man.

And he went back to struggling.

And back to a ‘donkey’ in so many fans’ eyes.

Gio wasn’t even interested in him at the start – didn’t use him for a long time.

But in the past month and a half, John Lundstram hasn’t just grown into our best midfielder, he’s grown into one of our very best players, and if he’d been given this chance from the start, there’s no one else who would be close to our POTY.

Indeed, it may not be too late, such is the stunning 2022 Lunny has had.

His night last night made for yet more incredible reading. 95% passing rate, 3 long balls nailed of 4, and 7 successful defensive contributions from the middle.

He dominated centrally and adapted beautifully to the three at the back again when needed.

In so many ways, Lundstram has evolved into our most complete player – able to fill in at the rear as brilliantly as he plays in midfield, and the 28-year old is becoming one of the best bargain free transfers this club has made for years.

This is the first season he’s ever faced European competition, and he’s bossed it completely.

What an absolute travesty it would have been to lose him to Middlesbrough.

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