James Sands went the entire 90 minutes for Rangers FC. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
What a whirlwind time for James Sands.
On Dec. 11, Sands and his New York City FC teammates celebrated winning their first MLS Cup championship at Providence Park in Portland, Ore.
Some 38 days later on Tuesday, the 21-year-old midfielder found himself in the Starting XI of Rangers FC’s 1-1 draw at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
On loan to the club, Sands acquitted himself well although his side struggled against the hosts.
Sportswriter James Cairney of The Herald in Scotland wrote that “Sands made it through this first test relatively unscathed” in what was a “frenetic and frenzied.”
Sands, who played the entire 90 minutes, did not do anything outstanding, playing it close to the vest with simple passes to teammates.
“The occasional neat pass in the final third suggested there is some potential here,” Cairney wrote.
“The task awaiting him could have been daunting but if it was, the midfielder didn’t show it,” Cairney added. “Up against Scott Brown and Lewis Ferguson – two experienced, capable operators and one of the strongest midfield pairings in the Premiership – Sands did not look out of place as he jostled with the Aberdeen duo.”
On Jan. 5, NYCFC loaned Sands to Rangers FC through June 30, 2023. Rangers will have an option to permanently transfer James at the end of the loan.
A native of Rye, N.Y., Sands made his U.S. men’s national team debut during last summer’s Gold Cup.
Sands and his Rangers teammates won’t have to wait until their next game. They host Stirling Albion in the Scottish F.A. Cup on Friday.
For Cairney’s full story, visit:
https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/19857227.james-sands-fared-rangers-debut-aberdeen/
