John Lundstram has revealed he has been playing with an injury for the last THREE weeks as he continues to battle through the pain barrier for Rangers.
The tough tackling midfielder is a key man for Giovanni van Bronckhorst and has established himself as a fans' favourite after a tough start to life in Glasgow when signed by former Ibrox boss and now Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard. A scan after the weekend win over Motherwell showed some tear and a 'skin' issue on his ankle.
The 28-year-old played the full 90 minutes once again as Rangers narrowly defeated Scottish Championship outfit Dundee to reach the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup. They will now face Jim Goodwin's Aberdeen at Hampden as they bid to return to the national stadium in late February to compete for the first trophy of the season. Speaking to fellow Scouser Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett on his Chattin Pony podcast, the midfielder explained how a tear was explained to him but with no suggestion of further harm being caused, he's just been cracking on and putting the pain to the back of his mind.
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Lundstram said: "I've been playing with an ankle injury like the last three weeks.
"Just got it scanned on Monday after the last game we had and I've just got some tear and a little skin thing. I don't know the scientific word for it.
"As long as they say 'it's structurally sound and you're not going to do any further damage and you can crack on', I just crack on.
"I can't remember the last time I played without some sort of niggle."
He added: "I can't remember the last game I played where I didn't have a knock.
"You see loads of players who are just injured constantly.
"I think most of it's mental. If you can deal with pain, you're fine."
On life at Rangers for new arrivals, he added: "Because Rangers is such a big club and the fanbase is huge, it can be a daunting pressure on people. I've learned to grow into it now.
"At first, I was set back at how big the fanbase was, but I think I've grown into it now, whereas at the start, I was a bit taken aback, the pressure was a bit for much for me, where now I'm settled in and I am not a new player anymore, I've been able to get to know all the lads.
"If you are a weak individual, the fanbase, when they do turn against you it can take some people under. Good players can come to Rangers and not play as well as what they think they can because the fanbase is so demanding.
"But that is also what wins us games as well. You see the Leipzig game, unbelievable. When you go up there, you've got to learn quick you've got to win."
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