The Hamburger Morgenpost reports that former Rangers defender, David Bates, faces an ‘uncertain future’ despite being contracted at Hamburg until 2022.
The 6ft 4″ centre-back left Ibrox in 2018, making a surprise switch to Germany to join Hamburg, a big club who had just been relegated to the second-tier.
The aim was to secure automatic promotion back to the Bundesliga but while they ultimately came up short, Bates was involved regularly, racking up 28 appearances.
However, after a change of manager in the summer, the Scotland international was shipped off on loan back to the UK, joining Championship club, Sheffield Wednesday.
Injury hampered him early on and he’s found himself unable to break into the side thereafter, making just one club appearance all season, in a 1-0 EFL Cup win over Rotherham United.
The Hamburger Morgenpost claims that Hamburg wanted him to go out and gain experience in order to add to his market value.
Neither of those things has been managed, though, and now, it’s suggested he faces an ‘uncertain future’.
He will return to Hamburg when the EFL season is eventually completed, but it’s claimed that although he’s contracted for another two seasons, the 23-year-old is not part of the coaching staff’s future plans.
Verdict
It’s been a hugely disappointing period for Bates, and a surprising turnaround after the highs of last season.
He may not have quite made it at Rangers, but he secured a move to another club with a 50,000-seater stadium and his strong performances there earned him international recognition with Scotland.
However, the appointment of Dieter Hecking at the end of last season appears to have signalled a change in fortunes and Bates has barely kicked a ball since returning to the UK.
Fortunately, he has the security of a long-term contract to fall back on, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if another loan spell or a permanent departure occurred before the beginning of next season.
