What has happened to John Lundstram since leaving Rangers with club boss ready to sell

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 2022 Europa League final, 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 for Turkish side Trabzonspor alongside team-mate Borna Barisic.

Trabzonspor wants to sell John Lundstrum now

Lundstram’s move to Turkey looks set to end in disaster. He has already made eight appearances for Trabzonspor 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 secure a win in the Turkish Super Lig, with two goalless draws in their opening games.

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

As quoted by the Daily Record, Gunes said: “I can’t understand the transfer of Lundstram. We have several players with the same characteristics. Lundstram is a very heavy and cumbersome footballer.

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

Rangers miss John Lundstram

It has not been a great start to the season for Rangers, who have dropped to fourth in the Scottish Premier League 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 frighteningly wide.

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

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

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

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

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