We at Ibrox Noise will have a summary of all of January’s signings coming up. However in this one we wanted to take a look at the controversial addition of £5M man Ryan Naderi. The German striker was taken from third division Hansa Rostock in the Bundesliga 3. He was a hugely divisive addition based on cost and his previous level.
A debut under the microscope
His performance on the evening as a substitute around 60 minutes was under heavy scrutiny. This was due to the hype around him. It also followed Danny Rohl’s decision to bring him in for that fee. That fee was the all time record for the Bundesliga 3. Naturally it was defended by the usual types. They defend absolutely anything about Rangers when it suits them.
How did Naderi perform
So how did Naderi do. Unfortunately he looked like a rabbit in headlights. He struggled to get on the end of anything. When he did get shots away they were not convincing. Naturally he missed one absolutely gigantic sitter. The crowd reaction when that failed with an almost open goal summed up the controversy.
No agenda only assessment
This is not an article hating on Ryan Naderi. It is also not an article refusing to support him. As always at Ibrox Noise we call things as they are. We want Naderi to do well. That is in Rangers’ best interests. However we did say this was a huge gamble.
Give him time arguments
We know the usual types will say the usual. Give him a chance FFS. Give him time FFS. He is just in the door FFS. Rangers fans often say this when things do not go well. Some players could join a year ago. Fans would still say give him time FFS.
When players hit the ground running
However some players take to Rangers like a duck to water. They shine from the word go. It does not happen often these days. But it does happen. Who could forget Oliver Antman’s outstanding debut against Pilsen. It did not really work after that. Russell Martin coached the life out of him. He then lost confidence. But he showed his ability against a Champions League level opponent.
Other examples and comparisons
Other players have also shone. Many are praising Tore Rommens. The Belgian did quite well on his debut. We do have a caveat there. We will cover that review in due course. But Naderi was the big one. He was the £5M January signing at the last minute. He arrived from a very curious level. That level is the lowest league in Germany.
The Bundesliga 3 debate
As we have said before many defended this signing. They suggested many fine players came from that level and shone in the Bundesliga. That is not strictly untrue. But it is not common. It is rare for players of that age and level to shine at a huge club. Many have drowned.
Precedents that warn caution
We cited players such as Blank. He moved from Bundesliga 3 to the Austrian Bundesliga equivalent. He drowned at Salzburg. He then ended up back in Bundesliga 2. The most common outcome for such moves is to struggle. High pressure clubs expose weaknesses.
A Rangers parallel
Our own Bojan Miovski is a clear example. He shone for Aberdeen. That is a mid table SPL club. Rangers fans pushed hard for his signing. He ended up at Girona. He struggled badly in La Liga. He drowned under the pressure and higher level.
Why pressure matters
This is why Ibrox Noise wanted his deal at Ibrox as a loan with option to buy. He has not done well at Rangers either. He is not capable at a high level. He also struggles at a big pressure club. Rangers are a big pressure club.
Time will tell
Time will tell if Naderi turns it around. We accept it was his first match. It was only 30 minutes. He was a last minute signing. However he was match fit. He was not short of games since November. That claim often follows Scott Olsen.
Final thoughts
So time will tell for Naderi. We hope he turns it around. We hope he shines for the £5M fee. Rangers cannot afford another expensive striker failure.