Former Rangers ace Derek Ferguson admits he was stunned when he heard what Philippe Clement had to say following Gers’ stalemate with Hearts on Saturday.
Rangers began their Scottish Premiership campaign at Tynecastle against Steven Naismith’s side who finished third in the top-flight last season.
It was a tricky opener for Clement and his men with Rangers only managing to pick up a point. The performance was underwhelming and already, Celtic hold a two-point advantage over their Glasgow rivals.
Philippe Clement started the game with a midfield two of Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande, both of whom were signed permanently in the summer from Aberdeen and FC Nordsjælland respectively.
Barron was the only new face in the starting XI given Diomande’s loan spell last season and both performed well despite the lacklustre Rangers performance as a whole.
But speaking after the match, Clement felt the experience and leadership of John Lundstram – who left Govan for Turkey in the summer – was sorely missed at Tynecastle for Rangers.
He told Sky Sports after the 0-0 draw: “We had some who missed pre-season and others who are new like Connor Barron. You miss a really important part with Lundstram there too lead the team out of the midfield.”
The comment raised eyebrows amongst fans and pundits alike. And now Derek Ferguson has delivered his verdict of the bizarre statement, admitting it left him ‘baffled’.
Ferguson perplexed by Clement’s John Lundstram comment
The former Rangers midfielder was speaking on the Open Goal podcast, with co-host Paul Slane bringing up the topic of discussion by asking Si Ferry and Ferguson what their thoughts were.
Ferry began by saying: “Madness because I thought Barron and Diomande were two of their better players.”
Ferguson then had his say. At the 25:35 minute mark, he commented: “This is what I’m saying about having leaders in the dressing room. I think he (Lundstram) was probably one of the leaders in that dressing room.
“He (Clement) speaks about (Jack) Butland being a leader, (Connor) Goldson was probably one of the leaders (too). So there’s somebody that’s went out of the dressing room and I think that’s why he’s referenced him.
“And I don’t think it is anything to do with Barron (and Diomande) because they have been two of the best players.
“But why he came up with his name, I’m baffled by that so I am. There’s just a wee bit too many excuses creeping in from him (Clement) and that in itself is a worry.”
Gordan Dalziel also slammed Clement
Ferguson hasn’t been the only ex-Rangers star to denounce the Rangers manager’s clear lamentation of John Lundstram’s early summer Ibrox departure.
Clyde Superscoreboard’s Gordon Dalziel was quick to criticise the Belgian, saying: “It’s a ridiculous statement to come out with, it really is.
“Sometimes I wonder about the Rangers manager. I know the Rangers fans absolutely love him. They are delighted he’s signed. You can say his four-year contract isn’t really worth anything, well if they pay him off it’s worth a right few million quid.
“He’s got to go and win games. I don’t think Rangers fans are impressed by what’s happening on the pitch. I think the manager’s a good, strong character. But like the Rangers fans, show me something else apart from playing just long, hopeful balls.”
