Rangers have ended James Sands’ loan spell at Ibrox early, with the American having returned to New York City.
The utility player was signed on an eighteen-month deal, with an option to buy, in January last year, but manager Michael Beale has decided that the midfielder is not in his plans.
Fans on Twitter wished Sands well but the vast majority felt that he didn’t possess the quality needed to play for the Light Blues:
A shame it didn’t work out Sands gave nothing but his best just unfortunately wasn’t what we needed. I have no doubt he’ll have an excellent career with NYFC and wherever else.
— Josh McBeale🇬🇧🇩🇪 (@Joshuafry2310) March 1, 2023
At least he tried, unlike others… Unfortunately, nowhere near what was required. All the best.
— McSouness ✪ (@McSouness) March 1, 2023
Best wishes to the boy.
— Alan Carmichael (@AlanC_44) March 1, 2023
the clear out has begun
— 𝔹𝕖𝕟 (@Coops_1878) March 1, 2023
Good riddance, one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in the top flight for us.
— Nath 🤓 (@RSCSpecks) March 1, 2023
No criticism of the guy from me. Can see he is a tidy player but just not the right fit for our club and our league. Will go on to have a decent career I’m sure. Best of luck James 🇺🇸
— Peter Adam (@petera1872) March 1, 2023
Finally 👋
— Grant 🇬🇧💙 (@being_rams1872) March 1, 2023
All the best to him. Tried his best and I’m sure he’ll have a bright future.
— Scott (@Scott__Kelly) March 1, 2023
Didn’t work at all but we did the lad’s confidence no favours by playing him out of position so much.
— Bobby Campbell (@bobsyshambs) March 1, 2023
Sands was signed by previous head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst so his future at the club had already become uncertain once the Dutchman had been sacked.
The big issue for the 22-year-old is that he wasn’t able to nail down a position. He played some good games as a holding midfielder, but he was also deployed regularly at centre-back, where he struggled.
Beale started Sands on only three occasions, all of which came in the centre of defence, and he clearly didn’t do enough to convince the manager that he was worth keeping.