John Lundstram has branded the criticism of Rangers following their Champions League defeat in Belgium last week as 'ludicrous' and says there is 'no way on earth' you can write off individuals after just two or three games in the season.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side are on an Ibrox rescue mission tomorrow night after losing out 2-0 against Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie last week. The winner of the two-legged showdown will advance to the play-off round to face one of Monaco or PSV with a spot in the group stage proper the big prize.
The Light Blues put in some of the best performances of their Europa League run to Seville at Ibrox last term and midfielder Lundstram is in no doubt they can turn the tie around, despite starting with a two goal deficit. The fans have played a major role over the years in roaring the side to victory and the 28-year-old sees no reason why they can't do it again.
Asked if they could use the antics of their opponents as motivation, he said: "You can use whatever motivation you need for this game. Everyone is different.
"But we have certainly all seen it, we certainly all know it is there and is a touch disrespectful, if you want to say. Listen, we are ready and whatever motivation you need, you can use what you like. We just need to turn up and we will."
On if the new boys have been briefed to help them settle into the club, he added: "Not much really. Players who are experienced go through… We all go through tough patches in our career. I wouldn’t even say any of the new players are going through a tough patch.
READ MORE: Ex-Celtic man on Rangers' 'statement' transfer, title race and 'can't afford to lose' UCL verdict
"We have played two, three games in the season and to be writing anyone off now is ludicrous. Nothing needs to be said to experienced professionals that have had one or two bad games.
"It becomes a problem when you have a bad six months maybe or a bad season, but not have two, three games. There is absolutely no way on earth you can write someone off, any player in world football, just because they have had a couple of bad games. I don’t think it takes me to tell someone that."
On the Ibrox factor, he continued: "Of course after big nights in Europe we talk about it, I think it is not just us that talk about it and the whole country, the whole UK talks about the atmosphere at Ibrox and the whole of Europe does. Not only us.
"But we certainly need it again and we are under no illusions that it will be difficult to overcome the 2-0 deficit. We have put ourselves in that position but there is no reason why we can’t with that fanbase behind us."
Alfredo Morelos returned to the fold and appeared for the final 26 minutes of the victory over Kilmarnock. He found the net as Rangers ran out 2-0 winners and Lundstram is delighted the Colombian is back to fitness.
He said: “He is a big player for us obviously. He was phenomenal last year and he has been for many years. No, he is a big player for us, as are a lot of players in the squad.
"But I am looking forward to having him back. Hopefully he brings some goals along with all the attacking players.”
READ NEXT:
- Rangers hero signs up to popular talkSPORT radio show alongside Jim White and Simon Jordan
- Rangers skipper James Tavernier receives one word Jude Bellingham response after 350th game
- Alfredo Morelos in 'stay strong' message as Rangers star scores on long awaited injury return
