FOOTBALL - The Times
John Lundstram will win over his doubters but is ‘trying too hard’
Rangers midfielder John Lundstram may be trying too hard to impress and might have to cut down his running in order to offer more during games, according to Gary McAllister.
The former Sheffield United man has had a patchy start to his Ibrox career although he had one of his better performances in their Premier Sports Cup defeat of Livingston. Some supporters have been impatient about the 27-year-old’s impact but McAllister, the Rangers assistant manager, insists there is plenty to come.
“It’s about him getting to know the system and positional sense, where we want him to be positioned when we are building,” McAllister said. “Sometimes his eagerness to try and impact the game or influence the game [means] he’s running around maybe too much.
I suppose with more experience and coaching from the guys in and around the football club he’ll definitely get better. I thought he played very well [against Livingston].
“The facts are he is playing in a system that is new to him and it’s very competitive in the middle of the park as well. I think it’s his eagerness and his willingness to actually do well. He’s maybe trying too hard. But every day in training he is getting more comfortable in the position and what his role can be in the team.”
Meanwhile, Ianis Hagi said Rangers’ support had been crucial while he was in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. The Romanian made an influential comeback in the Livingston tie. “It’s been two weeks that have been really tough for me mentally, to be away from football, away from training, away from games, from the fans,” Hagi said. “It [the club’s support] has been unbelievable.”