'Phenomenal' player that left Rangers this summer is already put up for sale by new club

Things have not gone to plan for former Rangers man John Lundstram since his decision to leave Ibrox this summer.

Rangers and John Lundstram were caught in a stalemate over a new contract and the 30-year-old ended up leaving the club as a free agent.

Lundstram spent three years with the Glasgow giants after joining on a free transfer from Sheffield United in 2021.

He lifted the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup with Rangers and played a part in their fascinating run to the Europa League final in 2022, where he was hailed as “phenomenal“.

Lundstram said in 2022 that he never wanted to leave Rangers after settling in Scotland, but he left this summer and signed with Turkish outfit Trabzonspor alongside teammate Borna Barisic.

Trabzonspor want to sell John Lundstrum already

Lundstram’s move to Turkey looks set to end in disaster. He has made eight appearances for Trabzonspor already in 2024-25, including all of their Europa League qualifying clashes where they were knocked out by Rapid Vienna in the third round.

They are also yet to pick up a win in the Turkish Super Lig with two goalless draws in their opening games.

Trabzonspor’s technical director Senol Gunes has now publicly criticised Lundstram and admitted he “cannot understand” why he was signed.

As quoted by Daily Record, Gunes said: “I cannot understand the Lundstram transfer. We have several players with the same characteristics. Lundstram is a very heavy and cumbersome football player.

“There is nothing we can do at the moment, but if there is an opportunity to send him to another team, it would be good for both Lundstram and us.”

Rangers have missed John Lundstram

It has not been a great start to the season for Rangers, who have slumped down to fourth in the Scottish Premiership following their 3-0 defeat to Celtic.

Philippe Clement is now under huge pressure to turn things around at Ibrox but the gulf between Rangers and their Glasgow rivals looks alarmingly large.

READ MORE: EFL chairman reveals Rangers were trying to sign Man City defender this summer

The Gers boss admitted himself that Rangers have been missing Lundstram this season.

Clement said: “Some missed pre-season, others also who are new like Connor Barron. You miss a really important part with Lundstram there to lead the team out of the midfield.”

Barron arrived from Aberdeen to replace Lundstram, but his leadership and energy in midfield has not been properly replaced by the club and they could live to regret that this season.