At one stage last season, Jon Flanagan was heading toward securing ‘flop’ status at Rangers.
Poor early season form saw him on the fringes of the first-team picture and he made just one appearance between January and the beginning of March [Soccerbase].
However, towards the back end of the season, circumstances conspired to give him a second chance and he impressed at left-back.
In seven end of season outings around the league split, he contributed to six wins and five clean sheets [Soccerbase].
Heading into this 2019/20 campaign, he was arguably first-choice on the left side.
Yet, a persistent injury has halted his momentum completely. The £1.35m-rated defender [Transfermarkt] missed much of the Gers’ pre-season preparations after requiring a hernia operation, and after he returned to make six appearances, the same issue flared up again.
He reportedly went under the knife again in early September [Daily Mail] and he hasn’t been seen since.
Flanagan only spent three weeks out the first time around, and following the international break, he’s likely to be close to a return.
Yet, the rise of Borna Barisic means he’s going to have a tough time getting his place back.
Rangers defender Flanagan set to return as back-up
Flanagan has benefitted from the indifferent form of the Croatian international in the past. Over recent weeks, though, Barisic has been consistently one of Rangers’ standout performers.
He’s has looked a new player ever since his Europa League display against Feyenoord and he scored a second superb free-kick of the season last weekend. He’s won the fans over and it’s now hard to see how Steven Gerrard leaves him out.
Flanagan is a solid defender, but he simply can’t match the ex-Osijek man’s athleticism, crossing ability or set-piece prowess.
With skipper James Tavernier also a mainstay at right-back, there’s no obvious route back into this side.
Therefore, while a return to fitness may be just around the corner, the former Liverpool man may still have a while longer to serve on the sidelines.
