Juninho Bacuna reveals how Steven Gerrard's Rangers exit brought him to Birmingham City

Juninho Bacuna believes his Rangers career ended because he was not given a chance once the manager who signed him left Ibrox.

The talented midfielder has started the last three games since signing for Birmingham City - a stark contrast to the end of his time with Rangers.

Indeed Bacuna suggested his fate with the Scottish champions seemed to nosedive the minute Steven Gerrard left the club.

After joining from Huddersfield the Curacao international played nine times in Gerrard’s final two months, scoring his first goal on November 7 in the 4-2 win over Ross County.

Four days later Gerrard had joined Aston Villa and a week later Giovanni van Bronckhorst was installed as his replacement.

After that Bacuna made just one start in December and January, in the Scottish Cup, leaving him with a choice to make.

Speaking after Blues’ 3-1 defeat at Bournemouth the 24-year-old said: “The first half of the season was a bit hard for myself. I had to get fit, played a few games and then the new manager came in, I didn’t really have a chance to play. That was hard for me.

“I don’t see it [Rangers career] as a missed opportunity. I went there with great hopes to play games.

"But anything can happen in football, the manager left, a new manager came in, you have to train hard every day and hopefully the manager gives you your chance.

“It was a difficult time but I needed to just stay focused on myself, work hard every day and hopefully you get your chance – but I didn’t.

“It’s football, it’s basically a business, it happens, if you don’t find your way at a club you search for something new. I want to play games.

“I didn’t get my chance with Rangers so you make a decision ‘Are you going to stay or leave to play games?’ I made my decision