Gary McAllister delivers verdict on next Gerrard target at Rangers
Gary McAllister has said that former Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan deserves a second chance to save his career, as Rangers zero in a deal for the controversial star.
Flanagan plead guilty to assaulting his girlfriend in January this year and was sentenced to a 12-month community order.
McAllister said his was behaviour was "unacceptable" but that it shouldn't signal the end of his career.
He is currently undergoing a medical in Spain ahead of becoming the seventh summer signing for Rangers.
Talking in the Daily Record, McAllister said: "I feel Jon deserves a second chance.
"It was unacceptable, most definitely. I have a little bit of an in because I worked at Liverpool but it was unacceptable and a really poor decision that he made in that episode.
“But, he deserves a second chance. He showed remorse, he put his hand up and has taken his punishment. He wants to get on with his life and his football life.
“The club is in talks and we are in the medical stages at the moment and that is going to be in-depth because Jon Flanagan has had problems in the past with parts of his body."
Football Insider verdict:
This is going to polarise fans. Some will not be happy that their club is signing a player who assaulted his girlfriend and may find it hard to get behind Flanagan if he joins. Others will see that Rangers come first and foremost, and will be willing to give him the second chance that McAllister says he deserves. We're of that opinion. What Flanagan did was heinous but football isn't a court of law. When players have served their time and taken their punishment for what they've done outside of the game, they have the right to pursue their career and continue their rehabilitation. Football isn't a game for saints. If you discard players based on poor choices made outside of the game, the player pool would be greatly reduced. Irrespective, it's dangerous ground if you try to be the moral arbiter and decide who does or doesn't deserve to play for your club. Flanagan has bags of talent and if a move to Rangers can bring that out and he can put this terrible incident behind him, then it's a win for both sides. In purely footballing terms, on a free transfer, he could be exactly what Rangers need.
In other Rangers transfer news, Steven Gerrard has revealed the Gers 'love' this Ibrox star.