David Bates makes big claim after move to leave Rangers this summer

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Former Glasgow Rangers defender David Bates left Ibrox in the summer after catching many by surprise with his decision.

In comments reported by the Daily Record, David Bates has suggested that his decision to leave Rangers for Hamburg in the summer was the best move he could have made.

Bates surprised many ahead of the end of last season by announcing that he was leaving Ibrox for Germany. He had established himself in the Gers’ side and there had been plenty of speculation that he may be in line to sign a new contract with the Scottish Premiership side.

But he ended up signing a deal with Hamburg – who were relegated from the Bundesliga last term – and the former Rangers man is enjoying a fantastic start to life with the club, having earned his first call-up to Scotland’s senior squad for this international break.

And following the call-up, Bates insisted that he has no regrets about his decision to leave Rangers and join Hamburg.

“I’d totally recommend it. To step out of your comfort zone and learn your trade somewhere else is the best thing I could have done,” he said, as reported by the Daily Record, when asked about the move.

“It’s been probably the best decision I could have made, playing at the highest level week in, week out. The football is very technical and I’m learning a different side of the game.

“It was definitely the right decision. For me, the Bundesliga 2 is a better league. Every team is competitive and you go away to grounds and it’s a sell-out.”

It was a big blow for the Gers to lose Bates. He was not the finished article during his time at Ibrox, but was developing at a rapid rate and would have surely been a key man for Steven Gerrard had he stayed.

But Bates’ success arguably needs to act as a warning to Rangers. They have a brilliant group of youngsters within their ranks, and the Gers need to make sure that they keep on top of all their contracts as they will likely be offered some exciting opportunities elsewhere if clubs get a sniff that they may become available.