James Sands has been blasted for being 'disrespectful' towards Rangers and Scottish football following his exit back to his homeland.
The American was a Gio Van Bronckhorst recruit from New York City FC but lasted just 18 months at Ibrox and only made a handful of appearances under new boss Michael Beale when he succeeded the Dutchman in Glasgow. Sands never hit the heights for the Light Blues and spoke of his frustration at how things turned out at Rangers.
But since the 22-year-old has been criticised by those of the Ibrox persuasion for comments made about the standard of football in Scotland, even claiming he was never 'at all challenged' during his stint. That irked Celtic hero Frank McAvennie who, in no uncertain terms has told the midfielder he 'couldn't hack it here' and was 'hopeless' as a player.
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He told Football Insider: “He was hopeless. He has got a talent of course he does but he got caught out umpteen times.
“It is a shame because Scottish football is good but it is terrible when players go away and criticise it.
“In Scotland players get right into your face, you have got to be super sharp because you do not get time.
“A lot of people can’t hack it. I think it is horrible and disrespectful for Sands to do that. He could not hack it and now he is claiming it is not for him.“
Sands told NYCFC's website: “I really look forward to those sorts of challenges. That's something that I get here in MLS that I didn't get at all really in Scotland in the league there, so it's a nice change.
“Those guys will get the better of me sometimes, but it’s all about learning.
“I’m still a young player, and I’m trying to improve, so those are night shifts I really look forward to.”
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