Rangers have been told that a return to Sunderland is the only path out of Ajax that “makes sense” for Jordan Henderson.
The rumour mill has burst into life early with the January window fast approaching with Philippe Clement’s side touted as a potential destination for the veteran midfielder after struggling to make his mark in Amsterdam. The 34-year-old joined Ajax in January from Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq but has managed just three league appearances since the arrival of boss Francesco Farioli in the summer.
The Black Cats and Rangers have been touted with a move for the England international with a host of English Championship and Premier League sides said to be keeping tabs on a deal. But his former Sunderland teammate Darren Bent reckons a return to the Stadium of Light would be the perfect fit, telling talkSPORT: “I mean, he’s 34, but I still think he could definitely do a job in the Premier League, 100 per cent – he looks after himself.
“I just feel going back to Sunderland makes sense, you know what I mean? That’s his club, that’s where he started, that’s where I played with him, and I’m sure the fans would love him back.
“He’s had an unbelievable career when you look back at what he’s won, what he’s done, he’s competed for England, he’s had an incredible career. So I think for Sunderland fans it’s almost like a homecoming, and I think that’d be really nice for him to go there.”
Rangers’ academy graduate Nathan Patterson is also looking to improve his luck south of the border as he prepares for a return to Everton‘s first-team after an injury-hampered spell at Goodison Park. The Scotland right-back has not played a senior match for the Premier League outfit since rupturing his hamstring during a 6-0 defeat to Chelsea in April – which forced him to have surgery and miss Euro 2024 with his absence continuing into the new season.
But the Liverpool Echo report that he is facing a battle for his future under Sean Dyche. It is said that Patterson will have to make a “big impression” or could be shown the door at the end of the campaign.
It is noted that 23-year-old has acted as understudy to Seamus Coleman since leaving Ibrox in January 2022. Dyche has also played the likes of Ben Godfrey, Ashley Young and James Garner in the right-back slot ahead of Patterson.
Elsewhere, Ianis Hagi has found a surprise ally in former Celtic boss Neil Lennon. The Romania international has been reintroduced to the Light Blues first-team by Clement – but was shown a red card minutes after coming off the bench against St Johnstone.
Rangers paid £3m to make the deal from Genk permanent back in 2020 and will have another chance to try and recoup some of that fee in the winter window. But Lennon reckons the club should stick with the Romanian playmaker, telling Sportpesurse: “Ianis Hagi is a very good player, I like him. Rangers must use him more this season, he can help them.”
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