Inside John Lundstram's Rangers contract talks as Philippe Clement sends clear message over new deal
Lundstram is out of contract at the end of the season but Clement says he's made his stance clear over a new deal for his midfield enforcer.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement hopes Ibrox chiefs can thrash out a new contract for John Lundstram.
The Belgian watched the midfielder dismantle Dumbarton in a 4-1 Scottish Cup win then revealed talks are on-going with the Scouser. Lundstram’s current deal runs out at the end of the season but Clement is keen for him to stay. He knows the 29-year-old is now free to talk to other clubs and says finance will be a key factor in the former Sheffield United star staying in Glasgow.
Lundstram was a key man against Dumbarton as his goal set Rangers on their way to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. And his manager has made his feelings clear to him about his future. Clement said: “It’s a financial thing between John and the club. Both parties have shown an interest to do it (sign new deal) - that is clear. But we will see in the next couple of weeks and months.
“He’s in a situation where he can sign somewhere else. But it’s clear that he feels good at Rangers and with our way of working. Everyone tells me that he’s showing a better level than he had at the beginning of the season.
“So I want him to continue like that and then there will be a solution between the two parties. Have I told him I want him to stay? I talk with my players every day so it’s clear what my mind is about that.”
Rangers - who saw off Dumbarton thanks to goals from Lundstram, Cyriel Dessers, James Tavernier and Scott Wright yesterday - are set to welcome back front-man Abdallah Sima early from the African Cup of Nations. Senegal confirmed the on-loan Brighton ace has a thigh injury and will return to Glasgow.
Clement is unsure how serious it is before Ibrox medical staff check on Sima. He said: “It’s always dangerous to hear those things when they happen and the player is not here.
“I like to hear my medical staff and what they think about things so Abda is going to come back as fast as possible. I have been in contact with him already. He is going to come back as fast as possible so we can make a good assessment and to see how long he will be out.”
In horrendous conditions at Dumbarton, Clement’s side got the job done against their League Two opponents. Clement was pleased with Rangers’ application coming off the winter break and ahead of Wednesday night’s Premiership return fixture against Hibs at Easter Road.
He said: “The players did what I asked, to be professional, to be switched on in every situation and to adapt to the situation. On that kind of pitch, we cannot play our normal football.
“There is not a team in the world who can play really good combination play in those circumstances so you need to adapt. We did that by scoring four goals and creating enough other chances.
“It is a pity we got a goal against but we were never in trouble and the whole game we were in control. That is important in the cup to go through.
“We also gave some extra playing minutes for players who came back out of injury like Scott Wright, Tom Lawrence, Ryan Jack and with Borna Barisic. That will be important for the next weeks and months.”