David Bates bid farewell to Scottish Premiership giants Rangers in the 5-5 draw with Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday.
Rangers are set to bid farewell to David Bates this summer, with the defender having already agreed a contract at now-relegated German giants Hamburg.
But, on the evidence of Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash with Hibernian (the final game of the 2017/18 season) it seems some sections of the Ibrox support will not be missing the young defender all that much.
Bates has arguably been Rangers’ most impressive centre-back this season, but that form deserted him at Easter Road. He gave away the penalty that allowed Hibs to take a 1-0 lead and was nowhere to be seen as Neil Lennon’s side doubled their advantage shortly after.
The game finished in a mind-boggling 5-5 draw – an amazing occasion but hardly the way Bates wanted to bid farewell to the club he joined from Raith Rovers two years ago.
According to the Daily Record, Rangers were very keen to keep the 21-year-old at Ibrox beyond this summer and had hoped to extend a contract that will expire in June. But the Scottish Premiership giants were unwilling to meet Bates’ wage demands, meaning they have lost a real talent for absolutely nothing.
So while some Rangers fans might believe that he is no great loss, it is difficult to agree considering just how impressive he has been prior to Sunday’s 10-goal clash.
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