Lundstram inspired by Gerrard’s ambition
New Rangers signing John Lundstram admitted being "taken aback" by Steven Gerrard's ambition for the club.
The midfielder has signed a three-year deal after leaving Sheffield United on a free transfer.
The former Everton trainee rejected a new contract offer from the Blades after playing 120 times in four years at Bramall Lane and Gerrard's pitch helped the 27-year-old choose Ibrox to continue his career.
The boyhood Liverpool fan told the official Rangers website: "I spoke with the manager and he sold the club to me, and I was just taken aback by his ambition, vision and drive.
"I know Glasgow is like Liverpool – a proper football city with proper football fans, and I know the people are very similar and I am buzzing to be a part of the atmosphere I am moving into.
"The chance to work with Steven Gerrard and Gary Mcallister, as well as Michael Beale, was a huge draw. The manager is from the same area as me, and I want to learn from those coaches and become a better version of myself and continue to develop.
"As an outsider looking in, the scenes last season were unbelievable when the club won the league, and when I saw that, I knew I wanted to be a part of it and be a part of a club which wins more trophies for Rangers.
"There is something special still being built here and there is more to come. The pull of being in the Champions League was also massive for me and I want to help the team reach the group stage and make the most of that opportunity."
Gerrard has been a longtime admirer of the former England Under-20 international. "John is a player I have known for some time and knew he would enhance our squad," the former Liverpool skipper said.
"Having played in the Premiership, he has the undoubted quality to enhance our midfield with his technical ability and physicality and I was impressed with his attitude and ambition when we spoke over recent weeks.
"He will add steel and presence to our midfield along with his quality which makes our squad much stronger, and to procure a player of John's profile and experience is very pleasing."
Lundstram joins former Oostende forward Fashion Sakala and ex-bournemouth midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh in moving to Ibrox this summer. Sporting director Ross Wilson revealed Lundstram was a "major transfer target".
"We quietly worked hard at this deal in the background whilst understanding there was a lot of competition for his signature," Wilson added. "John has long been admired by Steven and there's no better judge of a midfield player in my book. His desire to make John a Rangers player will have been a massive plus in John's decision making."
On an evening when he used 21 players in total, Steven Gerrard would have learned little he didn’t already know about his Rangers squad as they kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill.
Cedric Itten scored the 83rdminute winner for the Scottish champions shortly after their captain James Tavernier had missed a penalty. But it was an eveningwhenfew,ifany,ofgerrard’s fringe players suggested theyarereadytolaydownaserious claim to displacing any of his tried and trusted performers in the season ahead.
The Ibrox manager offered them the opportunity to do so, effectivelyfieldingtwoseparate teamsineachhalfofthecontest with only goalkeeper Robbie Mccrorie completing the full 90 minutes for the visitors.
The onus is on the likes of Glenn Middleton and Jordan Jones, who were both loaned outlastseason,toprovetheyare ready to secure more regular involvementingerrard’splans. Butneitherofthewingers,operatinginsupportofveteranplayer-coach Jermain Defoe in the opening 45 minutes, could find much of a spark.
Jones did deliver one incisive through ball to create the first chance of the contest for Defoe whowasdeniedbyasmartsave from Thistle goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon. Middleton passed up a simple opportunity to put Rangers in front, horribly misjudged
cuing a shot from around 12 yards.
Thefirst-halfcentraldefensive pairing of George Edmundson and Jack Simpson looked vulnerable at times with Mccrorie sparing their blushes when he touchedoverafreeheaderfrom Thistle striker Brian Graham.
Rangersturnedtoamorerecognisable and established lineup for the second half and their greater dominance of possession eventually told against the home side. But Ian Mccall’s
team, who will begin their competitive campaign with a League Cup match at home to Dunfermline on Saturday, could take huge encouragement from their display.
A front three of Kemar Roofe, Itten and Ianis Hagi was always going to stretch the tiring Thistle defence. Sneddon’s defiance saw him make further stops to deny Itten and Roofe before Rangers’pressureearnedthem a penalty with eight minutes remaining. Richard Foster was
to have blocked a Tavernier free-kick with a hand but Rangers’ cavalier right-back, their top scorer last season, struck the ball against Sneddon’s right hand post from the spot. But the breakthrough came just a minute later when Roofe’scrossfromtherightwas noddeddownbyhagiforswiss internationalittentoslothome.
From a physical conditioning perspective, it was an ideal workout from Gerrard’s perspective. He will seek greater sharpness in the forthcoming friendlies,startingattranmere on Saturday, before Rangers get their Premiership defence underway against Livingston at Ibrox on July 31.
Rangers first half (4-3-3): Mccrorie, King, Edmundson, Simpson, Maxwell; Williamson, Mayo, Wright; Middleton, Defoe, Jones.
Rangers second half (4-3-3): Mccrorie, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey; Kelly, Davis, Aribo; Roofe, Itten, Hagi.
Partick Thistle (4-5-1): Sneddon, Foster, O’ware (Steadman 62), Bell, Holt; Murray (Stevenson 87), Mckenna (Black 87), Docherty, Bannigan (Maciver 62), Tiffoney (Ocholi 62); Graham (Mackenzie 77).