Lee Wallace’s Rangers future has been a constant source of speculation for a while now.
He’s just won a case against the club for mistreatment, and had previously been suspended for the incident in question. Steven Gerrard’s arrival also seen him lose the captain’s armband to James Tavernier.
Yep, it’s certainly not been the greatest last few months for Wallace. It’s incredible to think of his decline given how influential he was in the lower leagues. Many were calling him a Rangers legend for sticking by the club and risking his career prospects. It’s funny what some poor performances and a suspension can do to your status.
Now, things are looking as bleak as they ever have for the left-beck at Rangers. Borna Barisic has arrived to take command of his position, whilst Jon Flanagan is on stand-by.
Yet, is his time at Rangers really up? A terrific display by all acounts for Rangers reserves against Motherwell suggests that it may not totally be all doom and gloom for Wallace.
Gerrard has gone on record saying that he will have a chance to prove himself. He likes what the Scotland internationalist brings to the table, and sees no reason to let him go yet. Those comments alone should be firing a rocket up Wallace.
A constant in the reserves
He’s consistently getting game-time for the reserves, which is unusual if he was frozen out. After all, that left-back slot could be going to a young up-and-comer. It’s not as if results at reserve level mean anything.
Barisic is undroppable these days, and is going from strengh to strength. That much is clear, and Wallace will never overtake his place unless a bad injury comes along.
From what we’ve seen of Flanagan so far, however, there could be a chink of light for the former Hearts man where he’s concerned. Flanagan is a reliable enough player, but certainly isn’t a world-beater, or hasn’t looked like it during his early days at Ibrox.
On his day, we all know Wallace can be a good, solid, and reliable full-back. Whether he can get back to that level is the question. Performances like the ones he produced last-season won’t be allowed. In order for him to make an impact in this squad, he has to go back to the days of Mark Warburton’s first season.
Displays like the ones he provided in the Scottish Championship would do nicely if worse came to worst and he needed relied upon. The fact is that Wallace wouldn’t be taking up a reserve spot if Gerrard didn’t want him ready.
The doors have opened ever so slightly for Wallace to put his name back into contention. Back-up is all he’ll ever be now, but it would be a lot better than how it looked just a month or two ago.
