Rangers midfielder John Lundstram looks set for his first start under Giovanni van Bronckhorst against Lyon after a hint was dropped on Wednesday.
Lundstram has only featured in two of GvB’s four matches in charge to date, coming off the bench late on against both Sparta Prague and Hibernian.
However, on Wednesday afternoon, the manager made it clear that fringe players would be brought into the side against the French giants and the fact that Lundstram was then also put forward for press duty suggests he’s one of those set to get a chance.
The former Sheffield United star had a mixed first few months at Ibrox under Steven Gerrard after joining on a three-year deal in July.
However, he feels that he’s very much settled in Glasgow and is ready to shine when given the opportunity.
“I think I’ve settled in quite nicely,” he said [RangersTV]. “It’s a great bunch of lads here and the city’s a lovely city to live in.”
“I think I was settled in anyway but obviously the new manager has come in and the lads have been doing magnificently well, so I’m just biding my time to get a chance and hopefully I can take it.”
Lundstram set for first Rangers start under GvB vs Lyon
It looks near-certain, barring a late injury, that Lundstram will be named in Rangers’ starting XI at the Groupama Stadium and if he is, it’ll be a big opportunity for him to impress.
His best Gers performance to date came away from home at Dundee in September and although the quality of the opponent will be considerably higher in France, GvB will be looking for the same things that made that 27-year-old’s Dens Park display so impressive: combativeness, discipline and composure on the ball.
The future is uncertain for a number of other Ibrox midfielders, with Steven Davis and Scott Arfield out of contract at the end of the season and both Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara attracting transfer talk.
Therefore, it’s important that Lundstram develops into the key man Steven Gerrard hoped he would over the coming months.
Meanwhile, Lyon manager Peter Bosz has confirmed a double injury blow for the French giants.
