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Steven Gerrard has admitted that Jon Flanagan has a fight on his hands to remain a Rangers player beyond the end of his contract which expires next summer.
The versatile full-back started the season in the Rangers team but the form of Borna Barisic and James Tavernier’s captain status has since seen him struggle to regain first-team status after injury trouble.
Gerrard, who is also a former Liverpool team-mate of the player, admitted his fondness for Flanagan on a personal level. However, he also that personal favouritism would not come into any decision regarding Flanagan’s future at the club.
“Jon’s got to fight for a new contract. He’s had a couple of injuries that set him back at the start of the season. Jon is clear on what his situation is because I’ve had the conversation with him, man to man.
“I love him as a guy and an ex-team-mate. But I have to park that friendship up for obvious reasons. I’m there for him and he’s got my support.
“But Jon knows exactly what he’s got to do between now and the end of the season to earn a new contract.”
TBR’s View
Flanagan, of course, has not been able to recover the levels which once saw him playing for England after years of injury and some off-field problems.
However, under his old team-mate, he has become a solid member of the Rangers squad.
His versatility makes him a good player to have in the squad and for that reason, Rangers will undoubtedly be considering keeping him on board beyond the end of the season.
However, if he cannot prove himself reliable in terms of his fitness, Gerrard may have to make the tough decision of telling his pal to find a new club.