Rangers Centre-back George Edmundson is in talks to join Derby County on a six month loan deal. But who is the 6' 3" defender? We spoke with The Rangers Rabble Podcast, the Aye Ready Podcast, Club at 22-The Rangers Podcast and This is Ibrox to learn all about the 23 year old and his time at Ibrox.
It’s rumored that Derby have made a loan inquiry into George Edmundson. Do you think these rumors have legs or is it paper talk?
Rangers Rabble: I haven’t heard anything regarding Derby but I can see Edmundson leaving Rangers to get game time, so Derby would make perfect sense.
Aye Ready: Steven Gerrard has confirmed he has had discussions with Wayne Rooney however he didn’t confirm what players had been discussed. However given Edmundson is out of favour with Rangers at the moment and our backline is fairly settled, it wouldn’t surprise me if a loan deal for him is on the cards.
Club at 22: I have seen the rumours and it may be a bit of both to be honest. In my personal opinion I can definitely see this loan move happening.
Is he an important player for Rangers? Has he played a lot this season?
Rangers Rabble: He’s not featured for the first team this season. He flouted COVID rules and was banded for seven games. The three players ahead of him have kicked on and been outstanding performers and he has not been able to get back in the first team picture.
Aye Ready: He is a fringe player due to us having a solid and settle back line. He has only made two appearances for us this season. Also he was a rather stupid boy and was suspended by Rangers and the SFA for breaching Covid regulations. As you can imagine, that has put him out of favour.
Club at 22: He has made only one appearance this season and I think it was coming on as a substitute. He then broke COVID protocols and was handed a seven match ban by the Scottish Football Association and since serving the ban he has had a hip injury that required small surgery.
This is Ibrox: George is a fantastic prospect and when he’s featured for Rangers he’s done very well. He’s a central defender who is happy to play with the ball at his feet, he can also been utilised as a defensive midfielder. He’s had a number of decent games for Rangers, gaining some experience in the Europa League too. He will have learnt a lot from the likes of Conor Goldson, Filip Helander and Leon Balogun.
Why are Rangers looking to loan him out?
Rangers Rabble: He took a little while to get into the team but he made a handful of appearances last term due to others being injured. He had some good solid performances and the highlight was winning against Braga in the Last 32 of the Europa League (1-0 to Rangers) and George was excellent.
Aye Ready: He hasn’t featured much at all since he signed so it’s difficult to properly assess him. A lot of that will be due to his age however we have had a fairly settled centre back pairing and there are a couple of players who are ahead of him in the pecking order just now. Our season was curtailed last year due to Covid and this season we have only conceded 7 goals in the league so even if he was in the managers good graces, I think he would struggle to break into the starting 11.
Club at 22: He had a good start to his career Rangers and filled in for when we had a few injury problems last season. Rangers will be looking to loan him out as we have a three or possibly four centre backs ahead of him, once Nico Katic returns from injury. Edmundson also broke COVID rules as I mentioned before and both him his partner in crime Jordan Jones fell out of favour with a lot of the Rangers support. Steven Gerrard has never publicly said it I am pretty sure he would not of been delighted with the pair of them either.
Do you think he could sign for Derby permanently or does he have a future at Rangers?
Rangers Rabble: Ability wise he could have a future at Ibrox but with breaking Steven Gerrard's trust earlier in the season I don’t see a way back for him.
Aye Ready: He signed a four year deal for Rangers in June 2019, however given we have just signed Jack Simpson from Bournemouth on a pre-contract, I think if a deal can be made for Edmunson, his days at Rangers are numbered. Gerrard has shown already with other players that if you fall out of favour then he will look to move you on. Given the importance of this season to us, his COVID misdemeanor was inexcusable, certainly to us fans.
Club at 22: I think this move could become permanent. He is a decent player but with Rangers bringing in Jack Simpson from Bournemouth on pre-contract I think his time at Ibrox may be at an end.
This is Ibrox: Unfortunately he broke lockdown rules in November last year which saw him out of the plans at Rangers, I think since then we always knew he’d be leaving in January (no doubt it could be made permanent too).
What are his strengths?
Rangers Rabble: He is physically strong and fast over 15-20 yards. He has a great range of passing and he’s still young.
Aye Ready: When he has played however, he has been solid and is physical which he uses to his advantage. Due to that and his build he has picked up the nickname of ’The Fridge’. Again, due to his lack of game time, it is difficult to properly assess his attributes.
Club at 22: He is still a young player but there is definitely potential there. He is a solid defender, good pace and good with the ball at his feet. He is also built like the side of a certain house.
This is Ibrox: His strengths are that he’s decent on the ball, he’s also strong and can dominate in the air. He puts his body on the line when needed.
What are is weaknesses?
Rangers Rabble: He can be positionally naïve at times but that will get better with experience.
Club at 22: Possibly a bit to gung-ho at times and keen to let the opposite team know he is there, but I put that down to inexperience due him still being young and not having having long run of games under his belt.
He is a centre-back. What kind of CB is he? Is a ball playing CB or more of a traditional tackle it and kick it long type?
Rangers Rabble: He can do both. He's a very modern centre-half who can pass but is not afraid to mix it either.
Club at 22: Rangers have a lot of possession during league matches in the SPFL and we play out from the back. Edmundson is definitely more a ball playing CB but is not shy going in for a tackle.
Derby manager Wayne Rooney likes players who are committed to the cause and give 100% in training sessions and games. Is Edmundson this kind of player?
Rangers Rabble: He has made a massive mistake in flouting COVID rules to attend a party which will ultimately cost him a career at Rangers. But he is a lad who trains well and Gerrard has praised his work ethic on a few occasions.
Club at 22: I think he would do really well at Derby. He seems the type of player when given the chance and the support of a manager he would flourish. I have no doubt about him giving 100% as its clear to see he takes care of himself just by looking at his physical build.
Do you think he can adapt to Championship football?
Rangers Rabble: Yes. He is fit and can adapt to the amount of games he will need to be available for and definitely has the confidence to take the challenge on.
Club at 22: Due to his still being quite young in his football career I think there is every chance he can make a good go of it in the Championship as long as he gets his head down and is not lead astray.
This is Ibrox: I’ve got no doubt that he will quickly adapt to Championship football and flourish under Wayne Rooney. On his day he can be a very good defender and I hope to see that from him during his time with Derby.
What will it take for him to be successful in Derby?
Rangers Rabble: Needs to prove that his mistake was a one off and go show why Rangers signed him. I think he has all the attributes to go and be a good centre-half at Derby if he goes.
Aye Ready: The game up here is fast paced and physical and from what we saw of Edmundson, he was starting to handle that well. You don’t get many clubs bigger than Rangers and they don’t come calling often. Edmundson is young and made a mistake, however it certainly does make you question his commitment. If this does spell the end for his Rangers career, I hope he has the attitude and strength to turn the disappointment into a positive as he certainly has the ability to cope with top level football.
Club at 22: I really liked the look of Edmundson when I first seen him play for Rangers and was excited to see him develop. It is unfortunate that he made a silly mistake by going to party and breaking covid protocols. It's unforgivable to a lot of fans due to the importance of this season for Rangers as we push for our 55th League Title.
Like I said before as long as he knuckles down, puts the effort it and is not lead astray or makes any immature decision outside of football he will be successful for Derby. I wish him all the best in the future!
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