Rangers let James Sands leave Ibrox last week and the midfielder is already making a big impression back at New York City FC.
The Gers confirmed last week that Sands was leaving Ibrox and would be returning to the United States immediately.
Sands joined Rangers on an 18-month loan in January 2022 with the Gers holding a $6million (£5million) purchase option in the deal.
The 22-year-old showed flashes of his ability but was never really able to nail down a regular starting role in the Rangers team.
Having only managed 14 league minutes since the turn of the year, it made sense to allow Sands to head back to New York.
Sands will now be desperate to get playing regularly again and he hasn’t had to wait long for a chance.
Sands started for NYCFC against Chicago Fire on Sunday, playing in a holding midfield role during a 1-1 draw.
James Sands hailed for his leadership just days after Rangers exit
The dust has barely settled on Sands’ Rangers exit but he is already making an impact back in Major League Soccer.
NYCFC boss Nick Cushing has now moved to heap praise on Sands for his display against Chicago Fire.
Cushing told the club’s official website that he thinks Sands has immediately given NYCFC more control in the middle of the park.
Cushing feels that Sands has really matured since heading to Rangers and has returned a much better player despite his lack of game time under Michael Beale.
The Englishman added that Sands has already taken on a leadership role at NYCFC just days after leaving Rangers.
Sands is being vocal and solving problems in the team, leaving Cushing blown away by his impact.
“I think you see he gives us control in the game, you can see his understanding of how we want to play, and how he really contributes to our build-up,” said Cushing. “I can see the maturity that he’s gained being over in Scotland, and playing in Champions League, and the Europa League, and in the Scottish Premier League. He’s constantly talking, and he’s solving problems; he’s helping other guys, and definitely taking a leadership role in the team.”
“You see what he brings us, and how he controls the game – he regains the ball a lot, he’s in the right positions for most of the game. He keeps the ball for periods so that we don’t have to defend our goal because we have the ball,” he added.
