John Lundstram is very close to becoming persona non grata to the Rangers support after his match-spinning red card against Celtic.
The Scouse midfielder, 30, has talked a good game ever since joining from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021.
But with Celtic on the verge of a third straight title under the midfield watch of John Lundstram, it’s all about to end in tears.
Amid chatter surrounding a transfer exit to Trabzonspor and confirmation from Clement that the ‘water is too deep’ between both parties, some are wondering if his Ibrox tenure should’ve been wrapped up already.
Netting a disastrous own goal to put Celtic 2-0 up at Parkhead, the midfielder then crunched into Alistair Johnston and all but consigned an initially spirited Rangers to a 2-1 Parkhead defeat.
The midfielder’s bottle didn’t so much crash as it did explode.
But as debate surrounding John Lundstram’s red card continues, he’s just got some unlikely backing from fellow scouser and ex-Celtic defender Alan Stubbs.
Lundstram challenge was once ‘really good tackle’
Alan Stubbs played in a different era of football and he knows all to well the pressure of the Old Firm derby fixture.
One of the tensest games in football, there’s an old adage about keeping your head and most importantly keeping XI men on the field of play.
That’s twice on the bounce Rangers have collapsed at Celtic Park and wound up with 10 men and fans are growing increasingly tired of a weak-willed team who consistently let them down when it comes to the crunch.
But Alan Stubbs reckons that had John Lundstram’s challenge been 20 years ago, he’d be lauded and not criticised.
“I think in today’s game it’s a red card,” Alan Stubbs told the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast. “Because of the way the rules have changed.
“I think when I played, we would’ve said that was a really good tackle but because now with VAR being involved in the game.
“When you actually slow it down in impact and you see where he’s caught him, that then comes under the argument ‘is he in control of his body?’
“He’s got his studs showing and this is what FIFA and IFAB have wanted to crack down on, so from that point of view I would say it is, it is a red card.
“But I could obviously not have a full blown conversation or argument with someone who though it wasn’t a red card because they would have points for it not it not being a red card.”
Stubbs: Rangers red card killed Celtic Park hopes
Not that Alan Stubbs is completely behind John Lundstram for his latest nonsense.
It was not a tackle the Rangers midfielder had to make and with the Ibrox side fighting straight back to make it 2-1 after Lundstram’s disastrous own goal, his decision to slide in was a costly one indeed.
Claiming that Rangers’ hopes of victory ‘evaporated’ in an instant, Stubbs suggested it was a ‘reckless’ tackle that the midfielder might well be regretting.
“Realistically, when that happened Rangers chances of getting a result evaporated as well,” said Stubbs.
“It’s difficult as it is. Playing in these Old Firm games one of the biggest things that you talk about before the game is making sure that you keep XI players on the pitch.
“Because people can lose their heads, they make silly decisions, they get caught up in the emotion of the game.
“For me realistically, did John Lundstram have to make that tackle? And it was a little bit reckless.
“Second half I think we all know that Celtic could’ve scored more goals but Rangers have got to realistically not lose the game so they have to throw caution to the wind.
“I think it definitely was a fair result, it could’ve been more, but it could’ve easily been a nervy time for Celtic if John Lundstram and Rangers would’ve kept XI players on the pitch.”
Celtic now top the Scottish Premiership by six points and – barring disaster – will likely be crowned Champions on Wednesday evening against Kilmarnock.