American youngster Emerson Hyndman was a big hit on loan at Rangers – but can he make the grade in the Premier League with Bournemouth?
When Emerson Hyndman arrived on loan from Bournemouth in the January transfer window, it quickly became apparent that the American midfielder was the man Rangers had been crying out for.
Mark Warburton’s side were struggling to create chances but the energy and vision of Hyndman provided them with some much needed cutting edge in the final third.
The 21-year-old’s eye for goal went down well too with the Rangers supporters, Hyndman scoring four times in the Scottish Premiership including a dramatic last-gasp winner against St Johnstone in March. In fact, his impact was so positive that he was even named Rangers’ Young Player of the Year – despite only arriving at Ibrox mid-way through the campaign.
Star in stripes
The question now, however, is whether Hyndman can have the same impact in England’s top flight.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe rates the two-time USA international very highly and made clear that a loan spell at Rangers was Hyndman’s opportunity to prove his worth and return to the Vitality Stadium ready to fight for a first-team berth.
If it wasn’t for a stress fracture suffered to his foot that cut short his final month at Rangers, Hyndman might have already made his Premier League bow in Bournemouth colours.
However, returning with a series of impressive performances for the reserve side, Howe is pleased to see Hyndman back and available for selection, per the Daily Echo.
And Bournemouth’s disastrous start to the season, comprising of four defeats from four, may just give Hyndman the opportunity he needs to step up to the plate and prove that he can make the grade in England’s top flight – especially with the likes of Harry Arter nowhere near his best in the opening weeks of the campaign.
If Hyndman can replicate his performances at Rangers, he will quickly earn Howe’s trust.
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