By GIANFRANCO PANIZO
DaMarcus Beasley's struggles for playing time may have taken a turn for the better two days ago after scoring in a friendly against AC Milan, but that highlight might have never happened had a German club gotten its way before the transfer deadline on Monday.
Beasley confirmed that Schalke 04 was interested in his services and that the German side almost made a last-minute deal for him.
"The Schalke thing was real, it was pretty close," Beasley told the BBC. "It was close. It went down to the wire; it just didn't happen. But I'm a Rangers player and I love being here."
Beasley's comments didn't sound like those of a player preparing for a move back to Major League Soccer, but you have to wonder if he is considering a return, especially as rumors persist that he could wind up in Los Angeles.
American fans will hope that Beasley's positive attitude results in some minutes at Ibrox Stadium as the United States national team heads into the beginning of a busy 2009 year that includes World Cup Qualifying, the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup.
What do you think of Beasley staying with Rangers? Think he'll see playing time in the second part of the season? Wish he would've made the move to Germany?
Share your thoughts below.