Flanagan is playing the waiting game to get another chance
His manager has told him he must scrap his way to a new Rangers contract.
And Jon Flanagan is ready to come out swinging to prove his worth to Steven Gerrard. Flanagan was namechecked by the Gers gaffer as a star performer during his run at left- back early this season.
But since undergoing a hernia operation in September, the former Liverpool star has been on a watching brief.
Having recovered from injury, the form of first- pick fullbacks Borna Barisic and James
Tavernier has stood between Flanagan and top-team action. But the 26- year- old, whose Ibrox deal expires in the summer, is determined to show his quality over the hectic run of festive season fixtures – and earn himself an extended stay.
“I’m definitely ready to fight to stay at Rangers,” said Flanagan.
“I’m always up for a fight, whether it’s at right- back or leftback, I’m willing to fight.
“I’ve just got to keep working hard and when you’re given the opportunity, you’ve got to go and perform to the level that the lads are doing now, if not better.
“There could be opportunities in December because there’s a lot of game time between now and the winter break.
“There are going to be changes made, so I’ve just got to take that opportunity when I get put in.” Having been a team- mate of his current manager at Liverpool, Flanagan perhaps knows Gerrard better than most in the Ibrox dressing room.
There will be no old pals’ act as far as a potential new contract is concerned.
Nevertheless, Flanagan knows he will never be left in the dark.
“He’ll give you a straight answer ,” said Flanagan of Gerrard.
“I’ve known him a long time now, and that’s certainly the case with me.
“If I ever need anything, I’ll go and see him, and if he ever needs to talk to me about something, he’ll do it openly and honestly. “We were friends as team- mates, but it’s different now. Things have changed a bit, but we still have a good relationship.”
That historic connection has been valuable as Flanagan has recovered from surgery.
But now the only thing on his mind is the future.
“It has been difficult this season,” said Flanagan.
“I obviously played the first part of the season and then I got the injury. It has been frustrating, but that is football at the end of the day.
“I have probably been back for a month-and-a-half now and I’m up to speed now. I am feeling good, and ready to show what I can do.”
Rangers have received a massive boost for their final- day Europa League showdown with Young Boys.
The Bern club’s captain, Fabian Lustenberger, has been ruled out of the game after undergoing thigh surgery.
Steven Gerrard’s side need only a draw to qualify for the knock- out stages, but the Swiss need all three points at Ibrox in the last game of the group, having lost 2-1 at home to Porto on Thursday night. And their hopes took a further knock after it was revealed Switzerland international stopper and skipper, Lustenberger, had to go under the knife after suffering a thigh injury during their home defeat to the Portuguese giants.
A Young Boys statement said: “Fabian Lustenberger had to go off after suffering a bruise on his thigh.
“After the game, a compartment syndrome was found, which is why the injury had to be treated with surgery.
“He will not be available for the next few matches.”
It’s the latest blow for Young Boys ahead of their trip to Glasgow as they have a further five players on the treatment table.
Mo h a m e d Camara, Gianluca Gaudino, Sandro Lauper, Vincent Sierro and Miralem Sulejmani are already sidelined, and the Swiss league leaders could travel to Glasgow with a severely depleted squad.
Of course, what size of crowd awaits them inside Ibrox remains in doubt.
Rangers are facing a potential closure of the stadium to fans after reports of sectarian singing during the Europa League tie against Feyenoord in Rotterdam in midweek.
The Light Blues have already been hammered by UEFA during this season’s competition.
A section of the Broomloan Stand was closed for the Europe League ties at home to Legia Warsaw and Feyenoord as punishment for fans’ singing during the away games against St Joseph’s in Malta and Legia in Poland.
The club also refused to take tickets for the away tie against Young Boys.
UEFA will review a report from their match delegate at the De Kuip tie in the coming days, and could take action thereafter.