Philippe Clement saw the transfer window close in the summer knowing that Rangers were still short of a player or two.
The manager addressed the possibility of signing a No.6 but decided against it with Nils Koppen explaining why an experienced playmaker wasn’t brought to Ibrox.
The current form of Connor Barron and Nicolas Raskin suggests that it was a wise decision, despite Rangers having the opportunity to make an international defensive midfielder’s dream come true with a Bosman deal.
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John Fleck struggles for game time after training with Rangers
Despite training at Auchenhowie under the watchful eye of Clement, John Fleck took a step down the leagues to sign for Chesterfield in England’s fourth tier – a far cry from anchoring Sheffield United’s midfield in the Premier League.
For once, a transfer that got away has worked in Rangers favour. Instead of tearing it up, Fleck has spent just 18 minutes on the pitch as his injury troubles continue to plague his ability to play.
At 33-years old, it’s not looking good for the former Wayne Rooney-esque wonderkid who burst onto the scene from the academy under Walter Smith.
Fleck did the right thing for his career when he left Rangers in 2012, even if a piece of him knows that he would have been a regular had he stayed.
Fleck’s dream Rangers return turns into injury nightmare
Linked with a return on several occasions, this summer seemed to be the closest he ever got to what would have been, in his own words, a fairy tale end to a successful career:
“Every player’s path is different and obviously mine took me away from there and thankfully it’s worked out,” said Fleck of speculation in 2020.
“I’m very happy at Sheffield United and as long as I continue to be then great. If that chance came further down the line to come back to Rangers then I’d love it to be honest.
“I wouldn’t say unfinished business because I was obviously a small part of a successful team back then and delighted to have some great memories with that squad and the club at that time.”
Given his problems over the last few seasons with injury, it looks like the dream of pulling on the Light Blue shirt once again is a distant memory.
