Rangers flop wins dream Bundesliga move as Ibrox spell cited by new boss
01/02/2025 05:30 AM
How often do we see players flop at Rangers before going on to succeed elswhere?
Think Umar Sadiq who was the poster boy for failure at Ibrox before going on to do well for Partizan and Almeria and be linked with multi-million pound moves to some of the world’s biggest clubs.
Eventually, he stayed in La Liga and signed for Real Sociedad for £20m.
There are plenty more where that came from as the pressure at Rangers often proves too much for a player who ends up thriving somewhere else.
James Sands, widely regarded as flop during his time at Ibrox, is the latest to win a decent move.
James Sands signs for St Pauli
Sands signed for Rangers in 2022 in an unusual 18-month loan deal which also included an option to buy.
Around a year into his spell, the loan was cut short and he returned to New York City FC.
The utility player showed his worth at times but not consistently and it was always seen as unlikely Rangers would take up their £4m option on Sands.
Michael Beale predicted an “excellent career” for the American while letting him go and he has been featuring regularly for New York since.
And Sands has now won a dream move to the Bundesliga with St Pauli snapping him up on loan.
Their manager Alexander Blessin has told how he was impressed with the 24-year-old when he saw him play for Rangers.
Blessin said: “With James we get a clever player who has a very good understanding of the game and, thanks to his clean technique, finds constructive solutions under pressure.
“His ability to anticipate also helps him in defence, so that he can often intercept balls or put the opponent under pressure early on.
“I saw him demonstrate these qualities both in the USA and during his time in Scotland.”
What Sands has said about St Pauli move
Sands said: “St Pauli is a club that football fans in New York know. I will still have to get to grips with the team’s game plan.
“Those in charge showed me very convincingly what ambitions the club has and what role I can play in it.
“For me, the move to one of the strongest European leagues is a big challenge and one that I’m really looking forward to.”
