THE dilemma was obvious, the answers difficult. But the gamble of accepting Rangers’ bid for Chris Eagles may have been just as great as the risk posed by turning it down.

This time it did not matter. Eagles decided against a move to Ibrox.

But it appears a bid of just over £2m will be enough to prise the winger away from Turf Moor, should another club come calling before August 31. A Premier League club, perhaps.

It remains to be seen whether that bid will arrive. Brian Laws is keen for Eagles to stay, but has acknowledged it is not a certainty he will.

The club’s problem is simple. Eagles is in the last year of his contract, and most in his predicament would be in no rush to sign a new deal only months after relegation.

The big risk is losing a talented player for nothing next summer.

But selling Eagles now, for just over £2m, would be no less of a gamble.

If Burnley are to return to the Premier League, a cash prize that seems to grow faster than the national debt of Greece, they will need players like him.

Eagles’ seven goals and six assists helped the Clarets reach the top flight and his talents are notable – an accomplished dribbler, intelligent crosser and able user of the dead ball. International football is not beyond him some day.

Yet consistency has been the main barrier between potential and performance.

It is perhaps the reason why Eagles was on the bench for the play-off final, and for 17 of the Clarets’ 38 Premier League games.

Even so, he remains a player capable of being the best performer not just at Turf Moor but in the entire Championship. In seasons gone by, experience may have been his missing link.

Much could still depend on Eagles himself, and whether signs emerge in the next few weeks that his mind is wandering away from playing a key part in a promotion push.

If there are no such signs, his value to Burnley over the next 12 months could yet prove to be a lot greater than £2m.