Rangers should make summer move for £5M Europa opponent
L-R Jan Kuchta reacts as his teammate Nicolae Stanciu of Slavia celebrates his opening goal in action during the European Football League eighth finals opening match SK Slavia Praha vs Glasgow Rangers in Prague, Czech Republic, March 11, 2021. CTKxPhoto/OndrejxDeml CTKPhotoP202103110933901 PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCZExSVK _DML7462
After all the hype about Sima and Kuchta, Rangers’ biggest danger on Thursday is clearly Nicolae Claudiu Stanciu, who scored that crazy good goal in Praha and is on fire now domestically with 5 in his last 3 league outings as well.
The 27 year old AM was a massive thorn in Rangers’ side in the first leg, and there’s no denying he will be the biggest threat by far on Thursday.
In fact, he’s possibly a signing Rangers should look at – 42 caps for his country, which is of course Romania, and Ianis Hagi knows him.
Market value?
Said to only be around £5M, and Rangers historically have great track records for nabbing the best players of their opponents in Europe – look at Daniel Prodan (RIP) and of course Borna Barisic.
Stanciu’s deal still has a couple of years to go, but Rangers could certainly sign a lot worse than a talent like his.
But first things first is stopping him on Thursday night.
Kuchta and Sima were deeply disappointing, kept quiet by Helander and Goldson, but Stanciu was electric and Rangers had to work hard to stop him last week.
He’s a gifted player, and while we might look at picking him up in the future, the here and now sees us needing to keep him out.
That won’t be easy.