Many things became abundantly clear at Tannadice on Friday. However, one thing had been clear to Ibrox Noise since January. That was the absurd signing of Ryan Naderi from Hansa Rostock.
Rangers paid £5M for Naderi
If Rangers signed Pollok FC’s star striker, we would not expect an awful lot. If Rangers signed Pollok’s star striker and spent £5M on him, fans would be confused, at best.
Pollok are not even in the professional tiers of Scottish football, being in the lowly Lowland League. While the 3. Bundesliga is perhaps not quite that minuscule, it is not a million miles higher.
Rangers essentially chose a third division German striker for £5M. To us, it still screams of one of the most bizarre and potentially corrupt signings the club has ever made.
An honest but limited striker
Naderi himself is an honest enough player. He has the gait of Tore André Flo. He may or may not be a reasonably decent finisher when given the penalty box chances that he needs.
However, very few modern strikers can get away with that kind of play. That applies within the pressure of the Scottish Premiership, never mind the pressure that comes with Rangers.
The addition of Naderi was one of the most odd and bizarre signings that Rangers fans can remember. However, Derek McInnes then starting him at Tannadice screamed to us of a bewildering choice.
Rangers lack quality up front
We are not saying that Youssef Chermiti is an awful lot better, or even that Bojan Miovski is. Rangers really do not have a great quality choice up front.
The management team appear content with what they have. That raises questions about what it takes to be a Rangers striker. It also raises questions about why they would accept that lack of an embarrassment of riches.
However, Naderi really is a rung below where Rangers need to be. The fact he cost £5M suggests Rostock saw mugs coming from left, right and centre. They are probably still laughing all the way to the bank.
Naderi cannot handle Rangers
We do not dislike Naderi. He has a great personality and is the right guy in terms of attitude and commitment. However, when it comes to understanding this level of football and coping with Rangers’ pressure, he clearly is not capable.
We have seen enough of him since January to know how poor he is. Against Dundee United, he was pretty much the same as before. This is not ‘just one game ffs‘. This has been the whole year.
Consequently, we wonder, firstly, why McInnes chose to start him. Secondly, why on earth did Rangers sign him in the first place? We do wonder where that situation actually lies now.