Steven Gerrard has decided to give Jon Flanagan the opportunity to revive his career in Scotland.
Flanagan is set to join Rangers on a free transfer after Liverpool opted not to renew the full-back’s deal at Anfield earlier this month.
The 25-year-old has already undergone a medical ahead of his move to Ibrox, according to several reports, but the baggage he will take with him is well-documented.
Flanagan was arrested and admitted to assaulting his girlfriend earlier this year, resulting in a 12-month community order with 40 hours unpaid work.
Jon Flanagan completing his move to Rangers on a free transfer today #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) June 21, 2018
Flanagan’s actions were condemned by Liverpool at the time and it always looked unlikely that he would be able to play his way into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans for the future after he was sent out on loan to both Burnley and Bolton Wanderers.
Gerrard, a former teammate of Flanagan’s, remains a big fan of the defender’s ability and he hopes that Flanagan’s off-field issues can be put behind him now so that he can focus on his football.
Gerrard’s assistant manager at Rangers, Gary McAllister, has discussed the controversy ahead of Flanagan’s move but has claimed that it was no more than an “isolated occasion.”
“There is consideration as Jon, that evening, was totally unacceptable,” McAllister told STV.
“He’s put his hand up, he made a massive mistake.
“He shown a great deal of remorse, which he should of, and he’s been punished.
“He’s taken the punishment and he wants to get on with rebuilding not just his life in football but his personal life.
“I was at Liverpool when the news came out and it was very surprising.
“For me, it was a very isolated occasion.”
