When Rangers signed James Sands, the young American was expected to provide poise, class, and variety to the club’s defense and midfield.
However, the NYCFC star ended up playing his own role in Rangers’ terrible January 2022 transfer window, which coincided with the club’s continued domestic decline.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale both struggled to get the best out of James Sands, who ended his loan with Rangers early to return to the United States and reflect.
Now back in Europe after signing with Bundesliga strugglers St Pauli, the 24-year-old New Yorker has been ruminating on his time in Scotland.
Sands made his St Pauli debut over the weekend, losing 1-0 to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
James Sands on a ‘unrealistic’ Rangers stint.
While James Sands was well-regarded within the confines of Auchenhowie, Rangers chose not to exercise the £4.5 million clause that would have brought the American to Glasgow permanently.
For all of the defensive midfielder’s alleged brilliance, games regularly passed Sands by, and there was an uneasiness in the kid’s playing that can still be felt around Ibrox today.
It didn’t help that the midfielder was constantly pushed to play at centre-back.
Sands confesses that he had to adjust to a new system at Rangers, and while the experience helped him improve as a player, the USA international believes it was ‘unrealistic’ to expect him to make a significant impact in Glasgow.
“I think the biggest thing was just learning a new style of play,” Sands explained to the Athletic. “In New York, we used the same system.
“It’s a widely used system among City Football Group clubs. Although each team’s configuration varies, most teams have the mentality of building from the back, playing through the lines, and attempting to generate opportunities.
“I felt really at ease in that position, as I had mostly played in midfield.
“After transferring to Rangers, I was asked to play a lot more center defense, frequently in a different system.
“The league games there are pretty interesting, and very different from the MLS league games.
“Rangers is such a large club in that league that in a lot of home games, they are pretty dominant with the ball and they really are able to push the game forward, but on the road, you know, maybe the field isn’t so nice or whatever, it becomes a lot more difficult.
“So understanding how to achieve things in challenging situations was one thing. The European games were a very different experience.
“I’m simply trying to adjust to all the different levels and types of gamers.
“It was my first time away from home, and first time outside of the United States.
“So, to expect everything to have gone perfectly is, you know, a little ridiculous. I believe it improved my game and was quite beneficial.”
Ex-Rangers star compares himself to Manchester City icons
Former Rangers manager Michael Beale permitted Sands to return to NYCFC in March 2023, but praised the midfielder’s ability.
Beale was clearly a great supporter of James, claiming that he was confident that he would have a ‘good career’, but Rangers were not getting the best out of the highly regarded midfielder.
James Sands, too, has high expectations for himself and has spoken about the type of player he is and wants to become.
Sands compares himself to 2024 Ballon D’Or winner and Manchester City midfielder Rodri, hoping to become the American equivalent of the Spanish great.
“I think Rodri is the best in the world in that position,” Sands told reporters.
Beale was clearly a great supporter of James, claiming that he was confident that he would have a ‘good career’, but Rangers were not getting the best out of the highly regarded midfielder.
James Sands, too, has high expectations for himself and has spoken about the type of player he is and wants to become.
Sands compares himself to 2024 Ballon D’Or winner and Manchester City midfielder Rodri, hoping to become the American equivalent of the Spanish great.
“I think Rodri is the best in the world in that position,” Sands told reporters.
