'Do me a favour' - John Hartson's damning verdict on Rangers' January signing

The negligible impact made by Rangers loanee Aaron Ramsay is a source of deep regret for his fellow Welshman John Hartson - both in respect of the World Cup play-off hopes for his homeland later this month and his personal regard for the midfielder.

But the former Celtic striker believes the hullabaloo that surrounded the 31-year-old’s arrival from Juventus on transfer deadline day had no basis in reality. Indeed, Hartson offered a damning “do me a favour” verdict to the claims he heard made then that Ramsey could be the Ibrox club’s most illustrious capture since they recruited Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup in the 1990s.

“I’m very disappointed and it has been disappointing for him, really,” said the 46-year-old of the Welsh captain, who has made only one start for Rangers - in their Scottish Cup win over Annan four weeks ago - as he has racked up only 90 minutes of football in being beset by the sort of niggly injuries that have dogged him throughout his career.

“I wanted him to play, do well, so that we get him for Wales in-form at the end of the month. Wales have two massive games [potentially, with a semi-final against Austria and possible final against Scotland]. Aaron has always done the business for us. At Rangers now I don’t think it’s an issue with his general fitness, I just think it’s knocks. Because he can play up here, Aaron can play. But he’s obviously not ready with his injuries and I’m disappointed for him more than anything.

“They [Rangers] had big hopes that he would be their best signing since Laudrup and Gascoigne. Laudrup and Gascoigne? They are superstars, the best players to ever come to Rangers. But that’s what some people were saying, that it was like Laudrup and Gascoigne. What? Do me a