Official: Rangers sign Jon Flanagan on 2 year deal

[StuGers 477]

1 hour ago, buster. said:

Waddell has certainly been fully converted into an opportunist hater of all things Rangers.

 

'Isolationism' makes it easy for others to jump on a bandwagon.

That, and cash.

[compo 6,141]

Why read this piss poor reporters rantings , in fact why buy this horrid newspaper .

[Gonzo79 13,639]

Should I tell @Rousseau he's on the wrong thread?

[Rousseau 9,381]

Just now, Gonzo79 said:

Should I tell @Rousseau he's on the wrong thread?

No, just let him embarrass himself further...  

[colinstein 294]

another penalty....quite right too

is Flanagan playing ?...can't see him....he is Panamanian right !

Edited June 24, 2018 by colinstein

[Rousseau 9,381]

2 minutes ago, colinstein said:

another penalty....quite right too

Wrong thread. 

 

(What a numpty... )

[JFK-1 1,675]

14 hours ago, craig said:

You know Flanagan ?  Because it doesn't matter how many people you know, people are unique and your attempt to box them into the same little box is pointless.

Gerrard knows him well so I will trust his judgement until given reason to think otherwise. A 2 year contract seems a shade short for a 25 year old. I'm guessing Flanagan is looking to earn himself another EPL contract as soon as next Summer which is fine by me.

 

He will have to impress to do that and at the end of the day even our manager has one eye on a return to the EPL with Liverpool.

[buster. 4,808]

5 hours ago, ian1964 said:

1. 

 

Saw it on Frankies twitter feed and thought the very relevant R.O. tweet should be placed beside this article

[JFK-1 1,675]

Steven Gerrard: Jon Flanagan will learn from his mistakes and get his career back on track at Rangers

 

JON FLANAGAN let his family down and let his club down. Most of all, he let himself down.

The night of December 22, 2017 is one the 25-year-old will forever regret, and one he will forever be remembered for no matter where he goes or what he achieves in his career.

But Steven Gerrard believes Flanagan will have learned his lesson and will emerge from the most difficult period of his life, both on and off the park. And he will help him.

The former Liverpool defender was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend, Rachael Wall, in January. He was handed a 12-month community order and 40 hours unpaid work after admitting the offence.

Last week, he was given a two-year deal by Rangers as he became the seventh, and by far the most controversial, signing of the summer for boss Gerrard.

It was a move that split supporters and sparked a public debate as Flanagan’s football ability was put to one side while his character and credentials to be a Rangers player were questioned.

Gerrard would surely have asked a few himself before he decided to bring his former Anfield team-mate on board. It is to the future, and not into the past, that Gerrard is looking.

He said: “Jon gives us options in the full-back area. He’ll come and fight for both the right and left back positions. We had two out and out right backs last season and the concern was always if one got injured or suspended.

“We had to make sure there’s quality in those areas to cover. Being on a free, Jon was a no brainer for me because I know him very well.

“I was aware of Flanagan when he was at the Liverpool academy and Brendan Rodgers moved him up very quickly because of his performances and consistency.

“He was around the first team for a couple of years while I was there so I’ve worked with Jon very closely and I know the character, I know the boy.

“I’ve had a conversation with Jon and told him he needs to get back to that level. It’s in there, he’s capable. He’s had a frustrating couple of years on the pitch and the issue he had off the pitch which he regrets immensely.

“I’ve got an advantage to many other people in that I know the character and the values of the family who I know very well.

“They are a family from Liverpool and I know their beliefs and values because I’ve known them for over a decade and I know this was an isolated incident and big mistake.

“From my point of view that I was disappointed at the time for him because I knew it wasn’t him. Jon has held his hand up and was very remorseful.

“I know he still regrets it to this day. That was the key for me - knowing the kid is going to learn from it and that it won’t happen again. That’s the confidence I’ve got in him.

“He needs to get back to focusing on his football, his form and getting his career back on track. He’s very keen to do that.”

In the eyes of Liverpool Magistrates Court, Flanagan’s punishment fitted the crime after the late-night incident last year. The Court of Public Opinion is still passing judgement, though.

He was condemned by Liverpool ‘in the strongest possible terms’ and his return from a loan spell at Bolton proved short-lived as he left Anfield at the end of the season.

His arrival at Ibrox hasn’t exactly been well received by supporters but Gerrard is confident the former England cap will let his actions on the park define his Gers career.

He said: “There’s a few doubters in there and a few people who will judge him on the incident but Jon has to win those fans back over with his performances.

“I have no doubt and every confidence that when these fans see Jon - a lot will already be aware of him - and type of player he is then they will like what they see.

“For me, there’s a lot of things Rangers fans want to see in a defender. They want to know if you’re a winner, will run through a wall for them, empty the tank and give every bit of blood, sweat and tears for them.

“I can guarantee Jon will do that and I’ve got every confidence he can win them over because he’s exactly what this squad needs if you look at the player’s strengths.”

It has been a priority for Gerrard to bolster his defensive ranks so far this summer as he looks to address the issues that blighted Rangers last term.

James Tavernier and Declan John were mainstays of the side that ultimately fell short once again as the Gers finished third in the Premiership and were left empty handed in the cup competitions.

Now Flanagan will give his former Reds mentor a different option as he takes his first steps into management.

Gerrard said: “If you look at our two attacking full backs they are very good at what they do but in certain games we’ll need to go a different way.

“We can’t just attack and go gung-ho against every single team. Sometimes we’ll need to stiffen it up and go a bit safer and Jon gives us that option.

“I’ve played with him as a right and left back in a back four but also seen him do a job in a back three either side of the central guy.

“We will use different formations as the season goes on. Being a right footer, if Jon was picking the team I’m sure he’d put himself as right back in a four but he’s well aware of why I’ve brought him in.

“Some of the challenges I’ll be giving to him will be different. He hasn’t come in to fight for Tav’s place of Declan’s - he’s come in to be an important squad member and do the job I ask him to do.

“I know he’s a winner and experienced in terms of playing in front of demanding crowds and atmospheres so it was a no brainer on a free contract.”

 

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/16310668.Steven_Gerrard__Jon_Flanagan_will_learn_from_his_mistakes_and_get_his_career_back_on_track_at_Rangers/

[der Berliner 3,247]

Quote

 

Gerrard said: “If you look at our two attacking full backs they are very good at what they do but in certain games we’ll need to go a different way.

“We can’t just attack and go gung-ho against every single team. Sometimes we’ll need to stiffen it up and go a bit safer and Jon gives us that option.

 

 

That sounds quite promising. If Flanagan proves himself till the end of the window, I wouldn't be surprised if Tav moves to Welshland.