Rangers fans have been left split on what to think of David Bates exit

by John McGinley share

1 minute read 13/4/2018 | 09:40am

It was confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Rangers defender David Bates will be leaving the club at the end of the season, after German side Hamburg announced he has signed a pre-contract that will see him stay at the club for four years.

✍ Fix! Unser erster Neuzugang für die kommende Saison steht fest. Wir verpflichten den schottischen Innenverteidiger @DavidBates_ von @RangersFC, der bei uns einen Vierjahresvertrag erhält. Der Kontrakt gilt ligaunabhängig. #nurderHSV
? https://t.co/Fa3ps978AH pic.twitter.com/hKqiEnHmW1

— Hamburger SV (@HSV) April 12, 2018

It’s a fantastic move for a player who only signed permanently at Ibrox last January after beginning his career at Raith Rovers.

Making 25 appearances in total for the Light Blues, he’s emerged as a consistent performer in the first team, often performing to a higher standard than the likes of Portuguese legend Bruno Alves or Scotland international Russell Martin.

Losing him on a free transfer will be seen as a blow to Rangers and it’s one which has left supporters divided, with a whole range of emotions emerging on social media in the wake of the news

Some are just content to wish him luck on his new adventure…

Best of luck @DavidBates_ who could blame him! Uncertain who the manager will be next season, won't have a clue if he's in the plans or not. Decent old fashioned CB, done a job when called upon, imo SPL suited him. Must improve with the ball at his feet, hope he does that at @HSV

— Willie Ewing (@WillieEwing1872) April 12, 2018

All the best @DavidBates_ ??Its a shame i feel your @RangersFC career was only beginning! Good luck at @HSV ?⚪️⚫️

— Graeme Duffy (@GraemeDuffy12) April 12, 2018

Fair play to David Bates getting a four year deal from Hamburg. No way were we going to offer him that length of contract.

— Willy (@SpatestonBear2) April 12, 2018

At the end of the day players will do what is best for them. David Bates now has 4 years security something we couldn't offer him & am sure he will do well in the German 2nd division.

— Willy (@SpatestonBear2) April 12, 2018

Many are not happy with the news whatsoever…

David Bates has signed for Hamburg, aye but he's shite eh…… We will regret this. Easily our best defender.

— Rangers Bantz (@RangersBanter17) April 12, 2018

David Bates was barely fucking Ramos, but fuck me, he’s a better option than Alves or Martin any day of the week

If he only wanted £7k a week and the club couldn’t meet that while paying that shitebag Alves £30k+ a week, that’s mental

— Grant Miller (@GrantMiller87) April 12, 2018

David Bates was offered 2k. Bruno Alves is on 30. This club man.

— Jay Fletcher??? (@JFletcher1872) April 12, 2018

Gutted about @DavidBates_ ????????

— NoSurrenderMegco? (@ReturnOfMegco) April 12, 2018

While others are less bothered, believing he was never the next great defensive hope in the current first team…

Danny Wilson and David Bates are turning into Richard Gough and John Brown, the way some are talking about them.

Wilson was pish and Bates is average and very much replaceable

— Sam Easton (@SamEaston1872) April 12, 2018

Fucking greeting over David Bates ??‍♂️ at a club our size he should be abt 4/5 choice cb. It’s only due to our recent piss poor recruitment that he wasn’t. I’d expect that to be vastly improved this summer. If we’re gonna miss David Bates then throw in the towel now fs!

— The Great Waldo (@ThenNow4evaBlue) April 12, 2018

If we are serious about winning this league then we need to set our standards higher than David Bates.

Best of luck to the big man etc etc, but we need better.

— New Livingston RSC (@NewLiviRSC) April 12, 2018

I'm glad David Bates is away, there you go.

— Huggy (@Snoopsrfc) April 12, 2018