Major Rangers fan doubts surround the permanent signing of James Sands from NYCFC after the defensive midfielder toiled against Aberdeen.
Rangers have used the defensive utility man extensively at centre-back this season amid a defensive injury crisis but after a woeful showing at Pittodrie this experiment must surely end now.
Sands clumsily gave away the free kick from which Duk scored for Aberdeen’s first-half leveller whilst the centre-back was slow to react as Leighton Clarkson drilled home their second goal.
Had it not been for a late Scott Arfield double the knives would surely be out for James Sands, who was eventually hooked as part of a four man substitution around the hour mark.
Also on a yellow card, the defensive midfielder started his Rangers career last season with a draw at Pittodrie and it once again was not a happy hunting ground as the Gers turned things around this week.
Jury out on Rangers move for James Sands
Much of the debate surrounding James Sands, who at 23 still has plenty of room to grow in his career, concerns the reported transfer fee the Ibrox side will need to pay to make the move permanent.
Whilst at times USA international Sands has shown himself to be a composed presence in midfield the notion Rangers might spend around £5m to make the deal permanent seems fanciful.
This is the fee ($6m) which has been attached to the player in the American media, with USA journalist Tom Bogert claiming earlier in the year he expected Rangers to make the deal permanent.
Whilst it hasn’t been all bad for Sands at Rangers, it’s hard to argue that the player has done anything to justify such a hefty fee and it’ll be interesting to see what the Ibrox side and NYCFC discuss come the summer.
If Rangers can knock a substantial amount off the fee then some Ibrox supporters might be open to a deal, but as things stand James Sands isn’t doing enough to justify that hefty price tag.
Meanwhile, Rangers fans have been loving some footage of one Ibrox defender on the pitch v Aberdeen.
