If Rangers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst got everything wrong in the first-leg of the Champions League third qualifying round tie against Union Saint-Gilloise, they got everything right at Ibrox last night.
Specifically, the midfield was an uncreative mess in Belgium but with new faces and a new dynamic, it not only suffocated Union but was the driving force behind us producing an outstanding performance on our way to a famous and record breaking 3-0 win, with one man in particular at the heart of all things good.
Lundstram treating the opposition with total disdain will never get old pic.twitter.com/7dX1vTYfjm
— Pena Cartel (@PenaCartel) August 9, 2022
John Lundstram looked fired up in the pre-match press conference and spoke about a perceived disrespect from our opponents after the first-leg and he carried this attitude on to the park where he was everywhere and. alongside Tom Lawrence, dictated the tempo from the first whistle.
The media were also impressed when writing their match ratings and were unanimous in their praise for the Englishman:
“Went under the radar in the centre but did his job exceptionally well. Managed the midfield and was confident in pushing Rangers forward all night with super passing.”
“Back into midfield after last week’s misadventure in a back three. Energy and tenacity helped his side regain command of the midfield.”
“The driving force and the guvnor on midfield as he bossed the game from his anchor role and encouraged those around him.”
Lundstram – after a sticky start – has become a fans favourite and you could almost be forgiven for thinking that he has come through the academy or has been a supporter all of his life, a series of impressive Europa League displays translated into greater responsibility domestically and he fast become one of the first names on the team sheet.
John Lundstram – Hero pic.twitter.com/szmMJM6qAK
— Four Lads Had A Dream (@4ladshadadream) August 9, 2022
After a dominant performance in which his Union opponents rarely laid a glove, who could blame him for giving a warning for others to heed?