Edmundson is inspired by England legends to raise game
GEORGE EDMUNDSON’S spell under one England legend was sweet but too short. His time with another could be the making of his career.
The defender only spent 31 days with Paul Scholes as the former Manchester United midfielder cut short his first job at Oldham.
Scholes took charge of seven matches at Boundary Park but made an impression on Edmundson as he caught his eye in League Two.
His move to Rangers saw the 21-year-old be taken under the wing of Steven Gerrard and he is relishing the chance to learn from the Champions League-winning Liverpool icon.
“At first you can be a bit star-struck because they are the players you were watching when you were a kid,” Edmundson said. “But I feel I got past that stage quickly and the gaffer is the gaffer. I just want to learn from him and play for him.
“He is class, and he and all his staff are really good with me and really helpful. Anything I want to improve on, any questions I have, the door is always open and they are always there for you.
“I am loving it and I can’t wait to work every day.
“It is similar to working under Paul Scholes and his sessions were really good at Oldham. There has been a step up here. It is a lot quicker and a lot sharper and, with no disrespect, you are training and playing with better players. I feel I am improving all the time.
“I spoke to Paul when he left the club and then when I left and he was really pleased for me to sign for Rangers.
“He is a top guy, really good to work with, and I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“It would have been really good to work with him a bit longer. But a few things went on at Oldham, which I can’t comment on.
“It would have been nice but he was good for the time that he was there and I enjoyed it.
“He was buzzing for me to get the move and he sent me a nice text. It was really nice to hear from him.”
Rangers had to be patient to get Edmundson on board this summer but their perseverance paid off as the stopper clinched a £650,000 switch.
He has wasted little time in making a positive impression at Ibrox but is confident there is plenty more to come over the course of the season.
Edmundson said: “I feel I have still to get up to speed in training and in the games and there is more to come from me.
“All the lads have helped me settle in, as have everyone around the club. The
backroom staff and everyone behind the scenes have helped me settle in as best I can and been really good to me.
“It has been good playing at Ibrox and we haven’t had any bad results there so far. The atmosphere has been great. “When you come to a club the size of Rangers, that is the kind of thing you have to deal with. I feel the pressure and expectations make me perform better. I love it.”
The challenge Edmundson must rise to this term is a considerable one as he battles for a jersey with Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic and £3 million signing Filip Helander.
There is no Ibrox pecking order at present and Edmundson is determined to grab his Light Blues chance.
He said: “The manager said that from the start and he doesn’t have a first choice or second choice. Everyone is on a level playing field and if you are doing well then you keep your shirt. That is how it should be.
“I feel there is a lot of healthy competition at centre-half and whoever gets the spots for the first league game of the season will deserve it.
“We know there is competition there but whatever two are playing, the other two are going to be really supportive and help them on. We are a team at the end of the day and it is all about what is best for the team.
“I obviously wasn’t about it last year but, from speaking to the lads and being here, we feel we have a good team this season. We feel like we are performing well but now we need to take that into the season.”
Rangers will look to finish what they started when they face Progres Niederkorn in the Europa League on Thursday night as they bid for a third qualifying-round spot.
Then the focus will be firmly on the Premiership as the new domestic campaign kicks off at Kilmarnock.
Edmundson said: “Winning was a massive motivation for me. It was no secret that there were other teams interested in me but they weren’t going to win trophies and leagues.
“When you come to a club like Rangers, you have the chance to win medals. There were a lot of factors but that was one of the major ones.
“I saw bits of last season and I watched the games. I felt like I had a good understanding and then when I spoke to the manager and he told me his plans, that was it for me and I wanted to come here.”