James Sands of Rangers is challenged by Cameron Kerr of Dundee during the Scottish Cup Sixth Round match between Dundee FC and Rangers FC at Dens P…Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Most tackles, most duels, most ball regains in the league but destroyer wasn’t good enough for Rangers
One of the newer transfer strategies in modern football is the loan to buy deal, something that Rangers have utilised to good effect in recent years.
The first high profile and publicised example was when Ross Wilson negotiated a £4m option to buy Ianis Hagi, a deal that was subsequently negotiated down to a reported £3m.
Most recently, Mohamed Diomande, Oscar Cortes and Neraysho Kasanwirjo have all arrived at Ibrox under similar terms.
READ MORE: Rangers Net Transfer Spend Summer 2024
James Sands of Rangers gestures during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Rangers FC and AFC Ajax at Ibrox Stadium on November 1, 2022…
Photo by Richard Callis/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
James Sands earns plaudits after Rangers loan spell
One that didn’t work out but that Rangers were right to test the water with was James Sands who hit the headlines by scoring an last-gasp equaliser to ruin Lionel Messi’s day.
Things didn’t work out at Rangers, but in his preferred midfield role, Sands is flying for his home town club.
NYCFC head coach Nick Cushing was full of praise of the former Gers utility man after his late dramatics, as reported by The Daily Record:
“It’s really important for us. He should be really proud.
“He’s homegrown, he’s our player. He’s somebody that this year has shown his quality. If you look at data and the statistics, I think he wins the most tackles, the most duels, he regains the most balls in MLS. And that is a huge thing to have on your team.
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“I can’t speak highly enough about James Sands. He is a top player, he’s New York through and through. And you know, sometimes I think these moments are written – for James Sands to score the equaliser against Miami here. It’s a really good moment for us, it’s an opportunity for us.”
Rangers have their own version of NYCFC’s Sands
At Rangers, Sands spent most of his time at centre-half where he was found wanting.
A lack of physicality meant that SPFL targetmen regularly had a field day pinning the 24-year old USA international.
Now though, he is fulfilling his potential in MLS and, as Cushing says, is showing what he is really capable of.
Of Sands’ few games in midfield, only one against Dundee saw him dominate and demonstrate the tenacity which made him a target in the first place.
The irony is, Rangers could do with someone in the engine room now who has similar statistics when it comes to putting out fires.
Connor Barron might not the physical profile, however, he is the man that Philippe Clement trusts out of his squad to drop in between the centre-halves and help to build play.
Already, the former Aberdeen midfielder has impressed with his attitude and energy.
The good thing is, he cost significantly less than the £5m it would have taken to sign James Sands.
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