Derek McInnes thinks one Rangers star has taken his game to the next level this season.
John Lundstram was simply immense for the Ibrox side as his influence in the centre of the park against Real Betis was clear for all to see. And that helped Rangers secure an unbelievable 3-2 triumph over the Spaniards to set up a last 16 place in the Europa League.
Abdallah Sima, Cyriel Dessers and matchwinner Kemar Roofe all got on the scoresheet for Rangers in Seville throughout what was a fantastic spectacle for the neutral – certainly a nerve-wracking one for Gers and Betis supporters.
But Rangers had the last laugh and while Lundstram didn’t get a goal, his flawless display cannot be underestimated.
And that was underlined by former Rangers star Derek McInnes – as well as Kenny Miller – after the game, with the Kilmarnock manager picking out the 29-year-old midfielder for high praise. He even thinks Lundstram is showing the form he produced during Rangers’ run to the Europa League Final in 2022.
Derek McInnes lavishes praise on John Lundstram
McInnes told TNT Sports last night: “I thought Lundstram was outstanding tonight. There’s been a lot of emphasis put on his shoulders with the injuries they’ve (Rangers) had in there with (Nico) Raskin and (Ryan) Jack out, (Jose) Cifuentes sent off at the weekend.
“And I think Lundstram has took his game to another level. He’s showing similar levels of performance when Rangers went all the way to Seville.
“I think (Philippe Clement) is managing to get better performances out of some boys there.”
John Lundstram Rangers stats vs Real Betis
Lundstram kept things neat and tidy for Rangers up against the likes of Isco and William Carvalho. His composed presence was part of the foundations for Gers’ danger in attack.
- Touches: 55
- Passing accuracy: 86%
- Dribble success rate: 100%
- Passes into the final third: 4
His aggression and willingness to press high up the park in the second-half alongside Dujon Sterling was brilliant and it’s what he is capable of.
Lundstram has bene impressive under Clement but McInnes is right, he stepped it up a notch against Betis and we’ll need those performances more often in Europe beyond Christmas.
