Rangers manager Philippe Clement has reaffirmed his trust in his squad’s dedication, particularly emphasizing the commitment of John Lundstram and Borna Barisic.
With just weeks remaining on their contracts, Clement remains confident that Lundstram, who has been linked with Ipswich Town and Sheffield United, will extend his stay at Ibrox. He insists that the midfielder’s focus remains on the upcoming matches and dismissed any speculation about his commitment.
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ Scottish Cup semifinal clash against Hearts at Hampden, Clement stated, “Two hundred percent. I don’t have many hairs on my head but there are none that has a doubt about John. He loves this club. He is full of passion for this club, about everything. You see that in every reaction in training, in the dressing room before the game, during the game, after the game. There is not any doubt about that.”
Clement emphasized that he hasn’t had any doubts about the commitment of players whose contracts are expiring, including Kemar Roofe, Leon Balogun, and Ryan Jack. He drew on his own experience at Genk in 2019, where he led the team to the Belgian Pro League title despite interest from former club Brugge.
“It’s part of football,” Clement reflected. “In those moments, you can go fully for the target that you have in front of you. John is doing that every day; no doubt about that.”
While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding contract negotiations, Clement expressed optimism about reaching a resolution in the future. “There have not been any more talks for the moment. There will be in the future. I know both sides love each other, so I expect a solution at the end.”
Rangers’ immediate focus remains on their Scottish Cup campaign after suffering setbacks in their title bid with consecutive defeats to Dundee and Ross County. Clement’s faith in his players’ commitment underscores his determination to overcome challenges and achieve success on the pitch.