Gio van Bronkhorst has plundered the Big Apple as the Rangers boss sinks his teeth into the January transfer window.
James Sands is on his way across the Pond from New York City on an 18-month loan deal with an option to buy and the 21-year-old’s arrival is very much to the taste of Bluenoses on the Hotline.
The highly-rated US international is the first signing of the Van Bronckhorst era and comes just a day after Nathan Patterson’s exit for Everton secured a record fee for the Ibrox club.
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “The signing of James Sands looks a good deal. On ESPN he looks the complete footballer. He's tall, strong in the tackle, a fine all round player though the MLS is played a bit slower pace than the SPFL. At 21 it's truly a terrific opportunity for him to be part of the Rangers side. Van Bronkhorst looks to have signed wisely with money tight.”
Joe Graham, Garrowhill , was so chuffed he almost broke into song. Joe said: “Start spreading the news, he's leaving New York City any time soon to replace Nathan Patterson. Rangers are starting 2022 doing great business. Up to £16m for a reserve right back and a replacement in James Sands. This guy is only 21 and has seven USA caps. Good financial business and quality arriving at its best.”
Kevin Kean, Inchinnan, isn’t convinced by Patterson’s move though. He said: “Patterson is nowhere near ready to take on life in the Premier League, he's played less than 20 hours of football including sub appearances. It’s possibly an unnecessary risk for Everton in their plight.”
Moving on and it’s been claimed Premiership clubs are exploring plans to move big games south of the border should Nicola Sturgeon fail to relax the 500 crowd limit by the return of the top flight from its winter break.
But Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “It's been suggested that Rangers and Celtic may play matches at St James's Park to beat Covid-19 sanctions in Scotland. This is a non starter for at least three reasons. Firstly the restrictions are in place for a reason and the clubs and fans would probably be forced into isolation for attempting to breach the law in Scotland.
"Secondly this would be unfair on other Scottish clubs suffering the sanctions, and thirdly the English FA get so much more money than Scotland already, how much would this take from Scottish football towards the already super rich English equivalent?.
“These three points are certain stumbling blocks, all this before we mention the state of the pitch and who covers the cost when it cuts up with so many games.”
Back to the transfers and Celtic’s hat-trick of signings from Japan on the opening day of the window continues to stir debate.
John Bruce emailed: “It's been an entertaining last few days listening to Celtic fans speaking with great knowledge about their new signings from Japan. How they gained this wisdom is a mystery, as Japanese football hardly gets saturation coverage in the Scottish media or television.
"For the masses outside of Parkhead who know little about far Eastern football or Celtic's new multi-million pound, world-class trio, whose talents went unnoticed by every major club in Europe, it will make for an even more interesting Old Firm game, if Celtic can face playing it this time.”
Danny Robertson, Paisley, said: “Celtic sign three new Japanese players and close in on making Jota loan deal permanent but what's the hot news in their ranks? Rangers transfers and Rangers debts. We smell your fear, we don't have to hear it also.”
Speaking of Jota though, Gerry Milligan, Erskine, said: “I think it's unlikely that Jota will sign permanently, he was a bit vague when asked about it just before he got injured, I think he is waiting to see who might be interested come June. Cameron Carter-Vickers is not definite either but more likely than Jota.”
Finally, Rangers fan Alfie Mullin, London, couldn’t resist a title dig at the Hoops. He declared: “It gladdens my heart to hear all these Celtic fans predicting Rangers' demise. In reality all I can hear is the sound of their bums fainting, as they know that come the spring, the outcome of the league will be the same as last year, with Rangers victorious again.
“We may not be 25 points ahead but 22 or thereabouts will do for me and I will struggle to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner due to my sides having been split by laughter, once again.”
