Much will be known about any Rangers future for John Lundstram by the end of tonight, depending on the extent of his impact against Aberdeen.
With Gio van Bronckhorst limited for options in midfield for the Pittodrie clash, Glen Kamara is a certain starter. The question of who will line up beside him has been a key talking point amongst Rangers supporters with the game drawing closer.
It is a pivotal moment for John Lundstram, certainly that’s how it feels from the outside.
Since GvB’s arrival, the Scouser has been a bit-part player, with a couple of starts supplemented by otherwise cameo roles late in games to see out the final minutes – including a rare central defensive position to consolidate the win at Easter Road last month, following Kemar Roofe’s penalty conversion.
If he does get the call tonight and there is a very good chance of it, Lundstram needs to deliver by impressing when it matters. After a slow and difficult start to life at Ibrox including the red card against Malmo, he just hasn’t got going, nor provided consistent evidence that he is going to.
In flashes, we have saw capability and quality from the Everton trainee, most notably around October/November which included the classy strike against Hearts, below.
His best games have come when getting forward and moving the ball, not so much when holding in the role Kamara excels in – although fellow VR writer Gavin Kelly believes the Englishman can grow into it.
Pecking order
The main competition for Lundstram for a starting berth up north tonight comes from new signing James Sands. It would represent something of a sliding doors moment if the US internatonal is trusted to start in a such a high profile game at the expense of Steven Gerrard’s summer Bosman signing.
The only other options for the champions to deploy tonight in the middle of the park would be Ianis Hagi or Juninho Bacuna, but given their attacking instincts they would only assist the previous trio mentioned, not replace them.
In the result of a disappointing night for John Lundstram, with a Transfermarkt valuation of £4.95 million, the signs would point to an Ibrox this month including a possible early permanent departure. In that event, a quick flip and profit from Rangers perspective would be decent business.
The player has plenty to offer, but he has a lot to prove and quickly, if that will be to Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the expectant Rangers supporters.