Stubbs: Celtic loan flop Musonda should serve as warning to Reds rising star Ejaria

BY ALAN MARSHALL obvious Brendan did not see enough to justify him getting more of a chance at Celtic.

“I’ve seen him Ejaria a few times. He has been on loan and has had an experience in terms of seeing what it’s all about.

“He probably didn’t play as much as he would have liked but at that age sometimes you need that initial loan to make you focus and realise what it’s really like out there. Steven has obviously seen enough of him to think he can come in and make an impact at Rangers.”

Ejaria’s arrival adds to the captures of Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield and Jamie Murphy as Gerrard’s Rangers revolution begins in earnest.

The Liverpool legend has revitalised the atmosphere around Ibrox but Stubbs doubts Brendan Rodgers is looking over his shoulder just yet.

Stubbs, who’ll be unveiled as Buddies boss this morning, said: “Steven’s appointment, from a PR perspective and in terms of interest, was very similar to Brendan’s.

“But I don’t think it would have mattered to Brendan who went in. He is so self-focused on taking the club to levels it hasn’t reached and I don’t think that is finished.

“Steven coming in has had a huge impact on Rangers already, there is a real positivity around the place right now but I’m sure Brendan will have something up his sleeve.”

Stubbs believes another midfielder strongly linked with Gers, Dylan McGeouch, has a “nice dilemma” as he weighs up interest from a host of suitors north and south of the border.

The 25-year-old is free to leave Easter Road this summer after the expiry of his deal and Blackburn and Jack Ross’s Black Cats are also trailing the classy playmaker.

But the offer of a contract extension that would put McGeouch among Hibs’ top earners at around £3000 a week remains on the table.

Stubbs, the man who took McGeouch to Easter Road from Celtic in 2014, said: “It’s a nice dilemma for Dylan to have.

“He has a contract on the table from Hibs which I’m sure is attractive, he has been linked with Rangers and Sunderland and a few others.

“These clubs will want an answer soon. They won’t want it dragging on all summer, they need to make plans.

“Whatever he does I wish him the best. If it’s staying at Hibs then that’s fantastic. If it’s not, then good luck.”

ALAN STUBBS