Bullish former Rangers midfielder James Sands has claimed Major League Soccer offers more challenges than the Scottish Premiership.
The 22-year-old penned an 18-month loan deal with the Light Blues in January 2022 while Gio van Bronckhorst was in charge at Ibrox, but made little impact during his time at Ibrox and failed to hold down a regular starting spot at the club. After making a handful of appearances off the bench under Michael Beale, the versatile midfielder saw his loan cut short with Rangers unwilling to pick up an £4million option to buy and planning for a massive summer rebuild.
Despite his ill-fated spell in Scottish football, Sands has improved his form after returning Stateside and has been a standout in the Eastern Conference – leading to a recall to the US international side for the friendly clash with Mexico. But after finding his feet in the MLS, he has taken a pot shot at the Scottish football – declaring he receives more of a challenge playing against New York City's rivals.
Speaking to the club website about facing off against the best players Stateside on his return from Ibrox, he said: “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.”
He added that his work since returning to America has been the key factor in his recall to the international set-up: “I've been out of the national team for a little bit now, so it's nice to have another opportunity.
“It's just a couple days I'm there, so I just have to give it everything. I think I've worked really hard over the last couple months, so I’m very excited.”
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