The Dutchman struggled to make an impact at Ibrox before being farmed out on loan to FC Utrecht in January Sam Lammers insists he wasn’t given a fair crack of the whip at Rangers – because he never played in his favoured position.

The £3million Dutch forward was signed by Michael Beale in the summer but lasted just six months at Ibrox after being deemed surplus to requirements by new boss Philippe Clement. He managed just two goals in 31 appearances for Gers before being farmed out on loan to FC Utrecht in January, where he has found the net four times so far.

But former Atalanta and PSV ace Lammers reckons he could’ve hit the goal trail for Rangers, had he been given a shot as a striker.

He said: “I played more at No.10 at Rangers. I didn’t actually play a single match there as a striker. At Rangers, I suddenly ended up on the bench and then I didn’t even get on anymore. And then you are suddenly told that you can leave on loan

“So by then you already know enough. Almost all my stuff is still in Scotland. I was in the Netherlands on holiday when the loan deal went through. I didn’t go back after that. But I don’t need more than some clothes and football boots. Moving back to the Netherlands was not in my plans, but it has been good fun. I can visit the family more easily.”

Despite an upturn of form in the Netherlands, it’s likely Rangers will attempt to offload the 26-year-old journeyman in the summer.

Asked about a permanent switch to FC Utrecht, he said: “We’ve lost only once since I got here. Although things were going well for me and the team before I started scoring, as a striker you feel a little bit better when those goals are scored.