Scottish Premier League giants Glasgow Rangers have signed controversial full-back Jon Flanagan. The former Liverpool player was a free agent following the end of his Liverpool contract.
The once-capped England international will reunite with his former captain, Steven Gerrard. As a player, Flanagan on a free transfer is a coup, however as a man, he leaves a lot to be desired. Rangers are still in a rebuilding process following their notorious bankruptcy and relegations.
They’ve recently returned to the top flight of Scottish football, however, there still remains a massive gap in quality between their side and the Celtic team, who have been unopposed in their recent dominance of Scottish football. If Jon Flanagan can rediscover the form that helped him break into the Liverpool side as an 18-year-old, he may resurrect his career in Scotland.
Rangers Sign Jon Flanagan
Flanagan and his Domestic Abuse Charge
In December of 2017, Jon Flanagan was arrested on domestic assault charges. He was alleged to have attacked his girlfriend in Liverpool’s city centre; punching her and then kicking her while she was on the ground. In January of 2018, Flanagan was found guilty and sentenced to 40 hours of unpaid work and a 12-month community order. Flanagan did not play for Liverpool again following the incident. He was banished to train with the reserve side. Flanagan is very fortunate to be given a second opportunity at a club with the stature of Rangers. Manager Steven Gerrard must be fairly confident that his teammate’s actions were a one-off. At 25 years of age, Flanagan still has a lot to offer.
Second Chance
Compared to the reaction Ched Evans got following his release from prison and also the Rugby player Paddy Jackson being forced to move abroad despite a not guilty verdict, Jon Flannagan is very fortunate to get a second chance in the current social climate towards men accused of assaulting women in Brittish and Irish society.
The full-back has had an injury-hit career to date. The days of him being compared to Brazillian legend Cafu, by the man himself, seem a distant memory. Flanagan has a great opportunity to kick-start his career. However, should he mess up again, he may have ended his former teammate’s managerial career before it has even started.
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