Another big buzz topic hitting the airwaves this Monday morning as we go into a new week was the performance, or specifically the goal, of Findlay Curtis to snatch the ‘point’ against the Africans in Spain for Rangers’ second pre season friendly. This was not a serious match, of course, being a friendly. Rangers have now got a victory and a draw this pre season thus far. The draw was thanks to Curtis’ late equaliser.
Curtis showed real invention
Let’s be clear, this was surely not a shot. If this was a shot, he’s a genius. It may have been a speculative shot, perhaps, but it was a cross cum shot. Either way, it did not really matter because it showed creativity. It showed invention. It also showed, once again, the appalling decision that Danny Rohl made in sending this kid out to Kilmarnock. It saved Kilmarnock, and it did not save Rangers.
There are many fans who try to defend Rohl’s choice, saying that this decision was, in fact, the making of Curtis. Well, it cost Rangers potentially the title because we saw the impact he had for Kilmarnock. That is the whole point. McInnes has brought Curtis back and intends to use him this season, as far as we can tell. All bets are off on that front because we thought the same about John Souttar, and now he is about to leave for pastures new. But, in theory, Curtis looks like one that McInnes is going to make major use of.
Rohl’s decision remains under scrutiny
The fact that Curtis shone for a relegation threatened Kilmarnock on that plastic pitch, and scored, created and assisted, should suggest that Rohl absolutely did not have a clue what he was doing by sending that player on loan. As we have said, many fans make an argument in favour of that decision. We will have a separate entry completely dismissing that in due course.
What we are seeing now is the talent of Curtis, as he approaches 20 years of age, hitting something like what may be his development peak over the next few years, and he is all Rangers. This is a player who potentially could become a real star.
A huge season awaits
We have seen him shine for Rangers, Kilmarnock and Scotland. These are all massive pressure situations. One team was about to be relegated. One team was at the World Cup and he was shining in qualification. Of course, Rangers have also seen him do well in his cameos, to say the least.
This is a big season for Curtis, to say the absolute minimum. He has a Rangers man coaching him, or managing him, and he is ready to show under the floodlights of Ibrox what he is capable of. Rangers could have a multimillion pound asset if his development goes the way that we think it will. He is a real talent and a really special player. Now we will get to see that.