ONE Gunner stood between him and a place in the Bournemouth midfield, the other inspired him to make a move he hopes will lead to a first team berth next term.
Emerson Hyndman’s route to the Cherries starting line-up was partially blocked by the arrival of Jack Wilshere in the summer but a winter switch to Ibrox could now bring out the best in the American.
Just months after quitting Fulham to pen a deal with the Cherries as he won a dream Premier League switch, Hyndman is on the move once again.
He will spend the second half of the campaign at Ibrox as he looks to help Mark Warburton’s side secure second spot in the Premiership and is determined to continue his progression on and off the park.
Hyndman said: “I like to get on the ball. I am a technical player, I like to pass the ball about. I want to help the team-mates in midfield and supply and score goals.
“It is always good to have a player like him (Wilshere) at any club. He brings a different kind of class to a team like Bournemouth. Immediately you could see his quality and every single day you learn different things from him.
“Even if you are going up against him, you learn how he moves and the way he thinks. I have learned a lot from him.
“I think the whole team has [improved me]. The whole experience of being at Bournemouth has improved me.
“Not just on the pitch but mentally as well. They are very professional in the way they conduct themselves as a group.”
Wilshere is not the only Arsenal midfielder that has had an impact on Hyndman’s career and he will follow in the footsteps on compatriot Gedion Zelalem in the coming months.
The American was an integral part of the Gers side that clinched the Championship crown last term and his positive reviews helped Warburton seal the deal for his first January recruit.
Hyndman said: “Obviously I asked him how he was doing and he said he was really enjoying himself. He liked the manager, he liked the players here and he really enjoyed playing in front of 50,000 fans every week.
“I kept that in the back of my mind when I was thinking about Rangers. I saw him play quite a lot on TV and kept up with him. He really enjoyed himself so I took that advice and decided to come over.
“I just want to do the best I can. I hope it comes sooner rather than later and as quickly as possible for me.
“I know I am here to compete like everyone is already. I have to earn my spot and I will try and do that as quickly as I can.”
Hyndman trained with Warburton’s squad for the first time on Monday morning and could make his Gers debut in the friendly with RB Leipzig on Sunday.
The Scottish Cup clash with Motherwell the following weekend will give the 20-year-old his first taste of Ibrox as the Light Blues look to bounce back from their Old Firm defeat to Celtic.
The midfielder has yet to taste Premier League action with Howe’s side and is confident his time north of the border will stand him in good stead for his Cherries return.
He told RangersTV: “It is massively important. Stadiums in the Premier League are always full no matter what game it is. Big crowds, different kinds of environments but they are always tough to go to.
“The fact that the fan base here is so big, and you get tonnes of away fans in every game, is really cool to see and I am looking forward to playing in front of them.”
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