Gijs Smal of Feyenoord disappointed during the Dutch Eredivisie match between FC Groningen v Feyenoord at the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion o…Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Rangers got lucky escape as target plays like ‘he’s got a sack of potatoes on his back’
Rangers’ long-running pursuit of a Borna Barisic replacement started at Jefte Vital and ended, well, at Jefte Vital.
Had the Scottish Premiership giants got their man back in January, when they first tried to tempt the Brazilian to Ibrox, then Rangers could have saved themselves a lot of bother.
Philippe Clement’s side even agreed terms with Fluminense at the start of 2024.
But with Jefte on loan at APOEL Nicosia and the Cypriot outfit refusing to cut his spell short, Rangers were forced to widen their net and consider a host of alternatives. That is before, of course, they opted to wait until the summer and get their number one target through the door five months later than they had planned.
Josh Doig was linked briefly. So too was Bristol City’s Cameron Pring. Eredivisie duo Anass Salah-Eddine and Fredrik Oppegaard were mentioned too.
And then there was Gijs Smal.
Gijs Smal of FC Twente looks dejected after defeat during the TOTO KNVB Cup match between PSV and FC Twente at Philips Stadion on January 17, 2024 …
Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Rangers were keen on Feyenoord’s Gijs Smal
According to Rotterdam-based publication 1908, Rangers had emerged as one of Feyenoord’s greatest rivals for the signature of the then-FC Twente left-back.
Smal was due to become a free-agent in the following summer.
But with his heart seemingly set on the 2023 Dutch champions, Smal needed little convincing when Feyenoord put a contract under his nose.
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Now, while it is far too soon to frame his dream move as becoming something of a nightmare, a difficult first few weeks at De Kuip will not have Rangers wishing they could trade in the increasingly-effective Jefte for a man who finished top of the Eredivisie’s assist charts in 2022/23.
Smal’s form has dipped alarmingly since those heady days.
He struggled throughout his final season at Twente, that move to Feyenoord facilitated by his previous form rather than current displays. And Smal’s latest outing – coming in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Groningen – felt like another wrong turn for a player who appears to be stumbling down a dangerous road.
“Look at how he runs back,” former Netherlands and Barcelona playmaker Ibrahim Affelay tells NOS, less than impressed as Smal was caught high up the pitch but did not exactly break a neck to get back and stop Groningen from halving Feyenoord’s 2-0 lead.
“(He runs) as if he has a sack of potatoes on his back.”
“I don’t see any urgency,” adds Pierre van Hooijdonk, once of Celtic. “You don’t see the real sprinting back.”
Jefte Vital lighting up Rangers as Smal struggles
Smal has always been a more attack-minded full-back than a defensive one. In that sense, he shares a lot in common with Barisic. A superb crosser from the left-hand flank and a fine deliver of a dead-ball too.
But often found wanting when it comes to keeping the ball out of the net at the other end.
Groningen, meanwhile, would score again only ten minutes after pulling a goal back thanks in part to Smal being dispossessed in the build up. Feyenoord, their new boss Brian Priske coming under pressure already, has now won just one out of four league games since replacing Arne Slot.
“Every time I look in amazement at what happens,” blusters Feyenoord legend Johan Boskamp, via Vandaag Inside. “The number of points we have lost is really bizarre. Take Saturday against Groningen.
“(Centre-half David) Hancko goes for a walk with the ball and I also see left-back Smal running along. We lose the ball and everything falls open.”
“It’s not normal. You’re 0-2 up and then two players let themselves be completely out of position. Then you get punished. This is something I haven’t seen in three years.”
Jefte, in contrast, continues to prove that the wait was worth it at Rangers.
Another stand-out showing during Sunday’s 1-0 win at high-flying Dundee United means he is starting to challenge Connor Barron for the title of Rangers’ most impressive summer signing.
Related Topics
Gijs Smal
Jefte
Josh Doig
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