The legendary Dutch midfielder has endured a nomadic couple of seasons but Rangers is no retirement home.
On initial inspection, Mark Warburton’s decision to bolster his Rangers squad with experienced, big name professionals aiming to kick-start their careers made sense. After all, this was a young team, one returning to the Scottish Premiership after four years away and expected immediately to challenge at the top. Therefore, the likes of Joey Barton, Philippe Senderos and Niko Kranjcar appeared invaluable additions both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
However, as it stands, none of the three are playing regular first-team football at Ibrox for various reasons.
Therefore, Rafael Van Der Vaart’s claims in the Sunday Post that he would consider a move to Rangers should be taken with care. Like the aforementioned trio, the 33-year-old’s best years are behind him and, in truth, the intelligent, crafty Dutch international who starred south of the border vanished once his Tottenham career was over.
Since leaving White Hart Lane in 2012, Van Der Vaart endured three dismal seasons at perennial Bundesliga strugglers and former club Hamburg. What is it they say about going back? As reported by ESPN, Van Der Vaart cruised to the title of the Bundesliga’s most disappointing player, voted by his fellow professionals, in Kicker’s 2014/15 poll.
And, in the two seasons since, he has accumulated just 12 league starts. That’s two with mid-table La Liga outfit Real Betis and ten in Denmark with FC Midtjylland. Did we mention he was snubbed by Reading, as reported by The Sun?
Therefore, if one of the most exciting attacking midfielders of his generation is struggling for game time in the Danish first division, why would Mark Warburton encourage further questions about his transfer policy by handing him another lifeline at Ibrox?
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