Michael Beale’s quotes regarding potential Rangers exits on deadline day were very interesting and in particular, regarding James Sands.
When the manager was name checking his midfield options in regard to the expected arrival of Nicolas Raskin, the US international was not featured. There was later a note on the two loan players (also Tillman and what could happen with their situations).
It is very clear that James Sands will not be a first pick with game time hard to come by later in the campaign whilst a permanent deal at Ibrox seems very unlikely for obvious reasons.
At yesterday’s press conference, when asked about what Raskin would add, the response was:
“Competition. If you think about who left that position of the pitch, Joe Aribo, what did he bring? Legs and energy. It’s lazy to say he and Tillman are similar because they’re not. Malik brings something different to Joe and I feel that type of player would help us.”
“One more would compete with Jack, Lundstram and Kamara.”
Crucially, there was no mention of Sands in that key line above then when asked if he had a role to play over the coming months there was no direct answer on the former New York City player.
Possible
The manager did address the possibility of exits when it was asked if there could be midfield exits given the expected arrival of Raskin:
“Maybe one or two of the young ones that’s a possibility. We have a couple of loan players in and have to decide whether we want to retain them long term. If we didn’t, maybe there will be an opportunity for them to go back as well.”
“I want players who are going to be here for the long term who can compete right now to make us stronger but also in the long term.”
Overall, those quotes above put a massive question against Sands’ status at Ibrox and is a situation to monitor today.