Player Profile - Phillip Bardsley
Salford born Phil Bardsley was an uncompromising right full-back who came through the Manchester United youth system and went on to make his full debut for the English giants in December 2003.
Bardsley was one of two Manchester United youngsters to join Rangers on loan at the start of season 2006/07, the other being winger Lee Martin.
Phil would make his Rangers debut on 19th August 2006 as Heart of Midlothian were defeated 2-0 due to a Kris Boyd double. The match gave Paul Le Guen his first league win at Ibrox as Gers boss.
Rangers would win just four of their opening ten league matches of the season and Le Guen was already feeling the pressure in Glasgow. Bardsley had scored the opening goal in a 4-0 win over Falkirk on 9th September 2006 but Rangers would slump to defeat in three of their next four league outings. That included a 2-1 loss at Easter Road (in which Bardsley was red carded) and a 0-1 home defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in what turned out to be his final appearance.
A training ground bust up with the Frenchman signalled the end of Bardsley's involvement with the first team for the duration of his stay. Both of the Manchester United loanees returned to Old Trafford at the end of 2006 with Bardsley spending the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa. If it was any consolation to the players, Le Guen would dramatically exit Ibrox just two weeks later following a disastrous 6 month spell in charge.
Bardsley went on to have a strong career in English football, primarily with Sunderland. He also had permanent spells with Stoke City and Burnley before ending his playing career with Stockport County in 2023. He played in the 2014 English League Cup Final at Wembley, Sunderland losing to Manchester City 3-1 after taking an early lead.
As a result of his father having been born in Glasgow, Bardsley was eligible to play for Scotland and represented the national side on 13 occasions between 2010 and 2014. Ironically, he played understudy to former Rangers player Alan Hutton for the majority of his time with Scotland.
Phil remained in the game and was appointed Assistant Manager of Macclesfield in October 2023.
by Rick Plews
