Philippe Clement insists he has no doubts over John Lundstram’s commitment to the cause at Ibrox as he reiterated his desire to see the Scouser sign a new deal this summer.
Lundstram is in the final weeks of the three-year contract he agreed when he made the move from Sheffield United during Steven Gerrard’s tenure. Since then, he has been a mainstay of the squad under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale and Clement and helped Rangers lift the Scottish Cup and League Cup, as well as scoring the goal that secured their spot in the Europa League final in Seville.
Turkish outfit Trabzonspor and promotion-chasing Ipswich Town have been linked with a move for Lundstram at the end of the campaign but Clement dismissed fears over utilising the likes of Lundstram and Borna Barisic, who is also out of contract next month, during the closing stages of the Premiership title race and the bid to win the Scottish Cup this term. Both could start in the semi-final with Hearts and it appears likely that this will not be Lundstram’s last shot at glory at Ibrox.
"200 per cent,” Clement said when asked if a player in that position can be 100 per cent tuned into Rangers. “With John, I don't have many hairs on my head, but there are none that has a doubt about that. He loves this club. He is full of passion for this club about everything. You see that in every reaction in training, in the dressing room before the game, during the game, after the game. There is not any doubt about that.
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"It's part of football. When I was also manager in Genk, Brugge wanted me back and I told them I will wait until the end of the season to make a decision. Because we were in competition with each other. I couldn't talk with them, although it was my second family because I was there 16 years. So, in those moments, you can go full for the target you have. John is doing that every day, no doubt about that.
"Of course, we don't have much time any more. Maybe it's before, maybe it's end of the season, we will see. It's also about performance, like always, and to make the right decisions then. Everything is open.
"There have not been any more talks now. For the moment, there will be in the future. I know both sides love each other so I expect a solution at the end."
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