Rangers Boss Rohl Hails New Signing Naderi with Star-Studded German Comparisons
Danny Rohl, the manager of Rangers Football Club, has made an exciting revelation about the club's deadline-day acquisition, Ryan Naderi. The German coach claims that the young striker has been favourably compared to both past and present Germany international stars Fredi Bobic and Nick Woltemade by colleagues back in his homeland.
Late Transfer Brings Promising Talent to Ibrox
The 22-year-old German forward completed his move to Rangers late on Monday evening, joining from Hansa Rostock in a deal reportedly worth approximately £4 million. Naderi has been in impressive form this season, contributing eight goals and five assists in just 18 appearances for the third-tier German club. Rohl has expressed his enthusiasm after receiving positive feedback from contacts within German football circles.
Legendary Comparisons for New Arrival
The comparisons being drawn are certainly noteworthy. Fredi Bobic, the former Borussia Dortmund, Hannover and Hertha Berlin striker, earned 37 caps for Germany and was a crucial member of the Euro 1996 championship-winning squad. Meanwhile, Nick Woltemade, the 23-year-old Newcastle striker who has been capped eight times by Germany, commanded a staggering transfer fee reported at £65 million plus £4.3 million in potential add-ons when he moved from Stuttgart to the Premier League club last summer.
Rohl elaborated on these comparisons, stating: "I spoke today with some coaches from Germany and received many messages saying: 'Congratulations on a good signing'. They compare him with — hopefully I don't make him too big now — but they compare him between former player Fredi Bobic and Woltemade."
Immediate Impact and Team Environment
Naderi could make his Rangers debut as early as tonight's match against Kilmarnock at Ibrox, where the third-placed side aims to maintain pressure on Celtic and league leaders Hearts. Rohl believes the current team environment at Rangers is perfectly suited to help Naderi develop his potential.
"If you can bring him on at this level here, we will have a lot of fun with him. He's really smart," Rohl explained. "It's important that we now give him an environment and this is the big difference between maybe October and now where you have a group, they are going together and they can allow players in to make the next step."
The manager highlighted the improved confidence within the squad, noting: "In October a lot of players were not self-confident, had a lot of problems with themselves and now you think more and more players are ready to help other players. And we have some great examples now of players going in the right direction. It's the reason why I'm very convinced he will help us."
Fourth January Addition and Readiness for Action
Naderi becomes Rangers' fourth signing of the January transfer window, joining Danish winger Andreas Skov Olsen, Danish midfielder Tochi Chukwuani and Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens. Rohl is particularly pleased with Naderi's match fitness, which could see him feature immediately.
"The good thing is that he played a lot of minutes in the last couple of weeks," Rohl said. "The big question mark always in January, some players need two, three weeks to come to the point and we know this — and he played on the weekend, 90 minutes. This is fantastic, because it gives me opportunity to put him straight in."
Preparation for Ibrox Atmosphere
Rohl also believes Naderi's experience at Hansa Rostock has prepared him well for the passionate atmosphere at Ibrox Stadium. "When I was talking to him, I felt the fire straight away and the good thing is, I know Hansa Rostock a little bit better than you. You have 25,000, 30,000 crazy fans and that helps to prepare him for our place and this is what I like to see."
With all necessary documentation expected to be completed, Rohl indicated that Naderi's availability for selection should not be in question, potentially giving Rangers fans their first glimpse of a player already generating considerable excitement through his German pedigree and promising comparisons.
