Rangers have been instructed by Andy Halliday to give up on their player-trading strategy in favour of extending John Lundstram’s contract.
With his current Ibrox contract set to expire in the summer, the midfielder is free to speak with other teams. However, since joining the team under Philippe Clement, the former Sheffield United player has been a major contributor to their recent form surge and has helped lead them to the top of the Scottish Premiership. Prior to the expiration of his current contract, Clement has stated that he hopes the Englishman stays at Govan.
Halliday believes that if the club decides to extend Lundstram’s contract once he turns 30 early this year, they won’t get any money back. Rangers powerbrokers Clement and others have praised the player-trading concept, which they hope will see more use moving ahead. However, Halliday, a former Ibrox midfielder, has challenged the team to defy expectations in order to retain their star player.
The Motherwell midfielder replied, “I don’t think it changes whether he gets a contract or not, I think it could change the terms of the contract,” when asked on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard if his form changed if he would be handed a contract.
“I’m just assuming, but I would assume he would be among the club’s top five earnings. When Rangers and Philippe Clement discuss the club’s saleable assets, I believe John Lundstram is likely in the group of players who will no longer be available for purchase assets.
“He is bridging into 32–33 and will be passed the years where they are going to sell him for millions of pounds if he signs a 2-3 year contract at Rangers. He has proven this year that he is more than worthy of a new deal, so I think that’s one thing that has to be mentioned.”
