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Mcminn Unsure Of Eustace Move.


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FORMER Rangers hero Ted McMinn reckons it would be a ‘gamble’ for boss Mark Warburton to sign midfielder John Eustace this summer.

The 35-year-old will spend the next four weeks training with the Light Blues squad as he bids to win a deal at Ibrox following his release from Derby at the end of the season.

Eustace missed the second half of the campaign after going under the knife to cure a knee problem, but could be rewarded with a one-year deal by boss Warburton if he can impress this month.

And McMinn, who spent five years with the Rams during his playing days and still stays in the East Midlands, reckons there would be a risk attached by signing a midfielder in the twilight of his career.

He told SportTimes: “I have watched him quite a bit at Derby. We got him from Watford and he is a decent player.

“He got an injury and was out for a long time, and missed the back end of the season. He had an operation on a knee.

“I saw his interview when he arrived in Glasgow and he wasn’t sure he would be fit to train for a couple of weeks. It is a gamble for Rangers.

“For the player, at 35, he has got a club like Rangers after him and it could be his swansong. It is a gamble for Rangers, though.

“He is a sitting midfield player and has got a lot of experience.

“I found out he had been released from Derby and then got a few messages saying he had been linked with Rangers and I thought ‘what is the manager’s thinking there?’ Is it for experience and to have an older head?

“It will be up to the manager to see how he does over the next couple of weeks and we will see what happens then.”

Warburton has spoken positively about the prospect of bringing Eustace to Ibrox in recent weeks and praised the Englishman’s professionalism and leadership skills as he looks to add experience to his Gers squad.

The Light Blues boss will have to appoint a new captain for this season to lead Rangers in their bid for the Ladbrokes Championship title.

Eustace is likely to be in the running to wear the armband if he signs on the dotted line, but McMinn insists he will have to prove he is ready to lead from the front first.

He said: “I am not saying Eustace is a bad player. But there are players out there that can lead Rangers on and have a career there for three or four years.

“I think Mark should look beyond this season. If we do get into the Premiership, which we should, I don’t think Eustace will be used as much next season.

“But, for this season, we have to see how his knee is. He has been out for six months.

“I had a knee injury, and I was out for 14 months and was never the same again. Yes, you can blag it and say ‘it is not sore’, but when you are behind closed doors it is in agony.

“You can mask it, but only you know how bad the injury is and how fit you are. He does look after himself, so hopefully there are no problems there. I have seen him in training and he is a fit lad.

“He is quite vocal and he has been talked about as a captain. I am not sure about that. But, then again, who is left from the ones that didn’t get released that are natural leaders?”

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it does seem a strange move considering Warburton likes to work with a small squad. a 1 year deal would be the most sensible move

I dont see what's strange, we need players, we need a player like him, we need experienced mentors. Think he will be a great signing
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"Former Rangers hero Ted McMinn" doh:mutley:

FFS I saw him play and he was at best average, he never knew what he was going to do with the ball, another ex player who will say anything for a few quid.

:2gunsfiring_v1:

Behave for fuck sake, its refreshing to actually read a genuine opinion from an ex player, one who's probably seen a helluva lot more of him than you or I instead of the usual pish from DJ or the 9 in a row rent a quote squad who use the same shite about absolutelynany subject

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I'm sure that's why he's on trial and we haven't asked him to pen a deal immediately, my only concern is his injury but I'm sure Warburton will be keeping an even closer eye on that.

Maybe Warburton plans on using Eustace to lead the team this season whilst passing on his knowledge to our next potential captain?

All I know is the gaffer likes to do things the way we have been crying out for for years so I'm going to trust his judgement on this one.

He's just signed a 24 year old keeper with the intention of him being our number 1, that's unheard of in these circles ffs :lol:

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We havnt been linked with a player over 24 years of age apart from Eustace. I have no problem with signing 1 older head to help guide the influx of young inexperienced players both on and off the pitch who are about to suddenly be put under more pressure than most players will experience in their entire careers.

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I dont see what's strange, we need players, we need a player like him, we need experienced mentors. Think he will be a great signing

he's 35 and has just returned from a knee operation. if we had a larger squad it wouldn't be as much of a gamble, but as I said previously, Warbuton likes to work with a small squad

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I was fully behind this move before I found out about his injuries. The fact that he's going to need 4 weeks training before we make a decision is a bit of a concern. We'll be ready to start he season by then, and if it doesn't work out we will need to try & find someone else.

No real reason to doubt it will work out though. I don't think for a second Warberton is zipped up the back, so he'll know far better than any of us. Just hope he knows what he's doing with this one.

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Was reading some of the Derby County forums and one dude summed up the overall feeling

"re: Farewell, dear, dear Johnny Eustace

Sad (not sorry), to see John go. Had no real issue with him as a person just the hype that he was some sort of superhuman saviour and everything would be okay if he played. He never was that good, he was a stop gap and thats all.. People were so desperate to see something that just was not there.. His career proved he was average at best and that is exactly what he is. Perhaps I missed the 10 years he must have been at Barca.. Surely he must have been reading some of the pony I have read on here about him."

We shouldn't make the same mistake of imagining him to be the saviour.

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"Former Rangers hero Ted McMinn" doh:mutley:

FFS I saw him play and he was at best average, he never knew what he was going to do with the ball, another ex player who will say anything for a few quid.

:2gunsfiring_v1:

Was in the company of Mr McMinn at a pub in Shawlands after he had been told he was no longer required at Ibrox. He was approached by a journalist from The Sun who offered him ten then twenty grand to do a piece about Souness. McMinn told him to fuck off. Your comment does him a dis-service...

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"Former Rangers hero Ted McMinn" doh:mutley:

FFS I saw him play and he was at best average, he never knew what he was going to do with the ball, another ex player who will say anything for a few quid.

:2gunsfiring_v1:

He perhaps never knew what he was going to do with the ball one minute, then the next minute he would dazzle with a mazy run which took him past a whole defence before sending in an inch-perfect cross onto the head of McCoist or Fleck.

Obviously you didn't see him play enough to make a proper judgement. Stick to the accountancy. (tu) You think slimy accountants are paragons of virtue in society but an ex-player of ours (and he is a hero, at least to me) gives an interview and you bring out the handguns?

100% bona fide walloper.

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I think McMinn's comments are honest and make sense.

In saying that, Eustace fits well with Warburton's stated idea of having one or two senior players to mentor the younger ones. In that respect Eustace fits the bill as a solid professional. As the Tin Man says though, the concern is his injury problems as we don't need passengers at our club. I would imagine that is why we aren't rushing into a deal and taking a careful look at him over a few weeks.

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