John Lundstram is exactly the type of player Celtic needed, according to Allan Stubbbs.
And Rangers have won a watch by landing his fellow scouser on a free transfer.
Lundstram penned a three-year deal at Ibrox after leaving Sheffield United and it’s hoped he’ll add goals to Steven Gerrard ’s midfield as the Gers defend their Scottish Premiership title.
Stubbs coached Lundstram at Everton, where he was a highly rated youngster, and would have much preferred to see Lundstram in Hoops this season rather than light blue.
He said: “It’s great business by Rangers, capitalising on a free transfer. Over the last three years John did really well with Sheffield United, going on to play in the Premier League.
“I’m sure John would’ve had options to stay in England. I’m delighted he’s getting a move to Rangers, a club riding high.
“But I just wish he’d signed for the team on the other side of Glasgow.
“He certainly brings steel, real substance and drive, to a midfield. Scott Brown did all that and more for Celtic.
“I’m not saying John is exactly the Broony type of player but he’s a winner.
“And in terms of the impact he can have on a team, it’s what Celtic are going to have to try to find after losing Scott.”
Working under Gerrard was a big draw for Lundstram, who even in Everton’s academy, was well known as being a big red.
Stubbs explained: “The Gerrard factor, and working with someone he idolised as a kid growing up, would definitely have played a role in John’s decision. It might not have been a huge part because, ultimately, you are there to play football.
“But with Steven being one of the best, if not the best, midfielders then working with someone you think can make you better is great for him.
“We used to wind John up a bit at Everton as we knew he was a Liverpool fan at heart.”
Lundstram was expected to progress to Everton’s first team, but that didn't happen and Stubbs admits in hindsight that leaving Goodsion was the best thing for the midfielder’s career.
He added: “John was pally with Ross Barkley when they were kids and they worked well in midfield.
“The hype over Ross just overshadowed John, probably affecting him a bit in confidence terms. John was more reserved, let his football do the talking but was with England right through the levels as an automatic choice, a mainstay for them.
“Playing holding midfield was, if anything, too comfortable for him. We wanted to do more to challenge him.
“He had a really good passing range, could use both feet and always had an eye for goal.
“I always liked him. He was always really fit and I felt he’d grow into a real athlete.
“He went out on a couple of loans but had a pause in terms of keeping on developing and catching up with his body.
“The loans made him realise he was going to have to stop being a boy and be a man, which is where a lot of kids fall short.
“They think it’s an automatic transition from academy to professional. But that couldn’t be any further from the truth.
“We all thought John had a good chance of making it there but it didn’t materialise.
“Leaving was the best thing because he had to go and play regular football. He’s gone on to build himself a good career and done really well.”
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