Rangers-linked Steve Lomas did a fantastic job in two years at St Johnstone – but his career has not taken off since leaving in 2013.
With Rangers looking for a British manager who knows the Scottish game like the back of his hand, Steve Lomas makes perfect sense.
The 43-year-old former Northern Ireland international did a fine job during his two year spell at St Johnstone between 2011 and 2013, guiding them to a top six finish for the first time since 1999 and becoming the first coach in the club’s history to be named SPL Manager of the Month.
His is an intriguing new name in the frame, then, with the Daily Record reporting that Lomas has put his name forward to replace Pedro Caixinha at Ibrox. The report claims that he has offered his services to the Glasgow giants though it is understood that Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes remains the board’s first choice.
Second chance?
Rangers supporters have long memories, however. And the rather unseemly comments made by Lomas towards the club back in 2012 over their pursuit of St Johnstone striker Fran Sandaza may pose something of a problem.
“Rangers are a big club but unfortunately they are behaving like a little one,” Lomas said in quotes reported by the BBC before accusing Rangers of unsettling Sandaza, who eventually did get his move to Ibrox.
Nonetheless, Lomas is a born-and-bred Rangers fan and, if the club wants a man who will bleed blue, then the Hannover-born coach should at least come under consideration.
The concern, however, will be that Lomas hasn’t managed at all since an ill-fated spell at Millwall in 2013 that left his reputation in tatters. Lomas lasted just 24 games at The Den, winning six, and left The Lions four points above the drop zone.
Should Rangers overlook his disastrous reign at Millwall, and his ‘little club’ comments, and see Lomas as a serious contender?
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