'Wouldn't wish it on anyone' - Ex-Rangers star expresses regret in Ibrox stint reflection
Yesterday at 08:00 AM
Declan John struggled to establish himself at Rangers over his two-year period.
The defender was over the moon to join the club back in 2017 under former boss Pedro Caixinha but he would be shipped back to Swansea when Steven Gerrard arrived.
The Welshman, 29, had hoped to stay at Ibrox longer as he felt he was beginning to find his feet when his exit came and went.
And that, to the defender, remains a regret in his career that he was unable to play as often as he would have liked for the club.
Fast-forward a few years, though, and John will be turning out against his old club this evening when Gers head to Paisley to square-off against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.
He hopes to land a new contract with the Buddies having only penned a short-term deal initially and manager Stephen Robinson has admitted recently that he’d be open to discussions.
And that is a luxury the player was not afforded at Rangers and that continues to rub John up the wrong way.
Declan John wishes he had stayed at Rangers longer
"It’s mad how football works,” he said.
"I enjoyed my time with Rangers. I wish I could've stayed a little bit longer. It’s a great club.
"My timing at the club worked against me at the time. The manager changed over pretty quickly. Graeme Murty took over shortly after I signed. I think I did fairly well. Perhaps if I’d been there a little bit longer, things would have been different because I was building myself.
"It's been tough lately for myself not having a club at the start of the season. I did have offers on the table in the summer, but ones that I just didn’t really feel were right for me, my family.
"It then became a waiting game. But as soon as I had the phone call to come up here, it was an easy yes. As soon as I spoke to the manager, the choice was easy to come back up to the league.”
St Mirren are ready to hand John a new contract
John hopes to start at the SMiSA Stadium against Philippe Clement’s troops and he insists he’s raring to go.
"Boxing Day will be my first start since probably the end of March.
“But I’ve got the training in me. I feel quite fit. I’ve had a few appearances coming off the bench, so I'm not far away from full fitness.
"I wouldn't wish what I went through on anybody. It's easy to let it get to your head. I tried to keep myself as active as possible. I was training once or twice a day while waiting for that phone call to come."
