RANGERS legend Dave Smith has praised Ibrox manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst for transforming John Lundstram from a squad player into an indispensable member of the side that is bidding for Europa League glory.
English player Lundstram endured a difficult start to his career in Scotland after joining on a free transfer from Sheffield United last summer and failed to impress supporters when he was given game time.
However, he has flourished since Van Bronckhorst replaced Steven Gerrard back in November and was outstanding in both defence and midfield in the wins over Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade and Braga.
Smith, who played as a sweeper when the Glasgow giants beat Moscow Dynamo in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final in Barcelona in 1972, expects the 28-year-old to be a key man in the Europa League semi-final match against RB Leipzig tomorrow evening.
“He brings a bit of composure which the other players don’t have,” he said. “He has been dropping back and more or less playing as a sweeper. He can pass the ball out. He is one of the few in the team who can do that.
“He had a bit of a ropey start in Scotland. But he was asked to play in a position in midfield which didn’t suit him. But the role he has now suits him fine. He has been very impressive lately, domestically as well as in Europe.
“Van Bronckhorst has played European football all his life. He has been brought up in European football. If he doesn’t know how to play in Europe then nobody will.
“He has brought the best out in Lundstram. But at the end of the day, the coach can know how to play, if the players don’t give him what he wants it won’t work. It is all down to the players.
“The fans have taken to Lundstram now. They can see he is playing for the jersey. Every time you pulled on a blue jersey was a great experience as far as I was concerned. I considered myself fortunate to get paid for something I would have done for nothing.
“You get 50,000 fans going to Ibrox every other week and every one of them would do anything to pull the blue jersey over their heads just once. We got to do it on numerous occasions. It was an honour.”
The Road to Barcelona: The Glory of ’72 And My Life In Football by Dave Smith with Paul Smith is published by Birlinn and is available to buy now.
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