Glasgow Rangers’ Swiss midfielder #14 Nedim Bajrami (R) and Malmoe’s Danish defender #17 Jens Stryger Larsen vie for the ball during the UEFA Europ…Photo by ANDREAS HILLERGREN/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images
‘Dare I say it’… Kris Boyd names the ex-Rangers star who Nedim Bajrami reminds him of
Kris Boyd believes Nedim Bajrami is showing signs that he could be at the centre of revitalising Rangers after a poor start to the season.
The Albanian was signed for £3.4m on transfer deadline day from Sassuolo in a move that probably surprised most Rangers fans on the night.
And Bajrami seems to be living up to his price tag with some impressive performances of late for Philippe Clement’s side.
Boyd is in the same school of thought and thinks amid a gloomy start to the season for Rangers, Bajrami is proving to be a glimmer of hope.
And the former Ibrox striker, writing in his weekly column for The Scottish Sun, went as far as saying the 25-year-old reminds him of tricky winger Ryan Kent who used to torment defences in the Scottish Premiership.
READ MORE: ‘Absolute baller’… Rangers fans run out of superlatives for ‘flawless’ Europa League hero
Ryan Kent of Rangers celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park…
Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
Rangers star Bajrami has Ryan Kent qualities
Boyd wrote: “Nedim Bajrami specialises in early starts. He broke the Euros record in June when he scored for Albania against Italy in just 23 seconds.
“And on Thursday night he fired Rangers into the lead in Malmo after 56 seconds. He’s quickly finding a place in the hearts of Gers fans — at a time when they were desperate for a spark of fresh hope.
“Make no mistake, Bajrami walked into a sea of negativity when he signed from Sassuolo on transfer deadline day. Rangers were out of Ibrox and also dumped out of the Champions League.
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“They were the only team in the Premiership not to beat Hearts. Two days after he arrived, Gers were then absolutely trounced at Celtic Park to fall five points behind the champions.
“The negativity at the club was building quicker than the construction work on the Copland Stand. I was arguably at the forefront of the criticism.
“Gers needed someone to lift them out of their gloom – and Bajrami could be that man. He showed glimpses of his class in 45 minutes at Tannadice.
“And he impressed again with his 75 minutes against Dundee when Gers finally returned to Ibrox last Saturday night.
“Bajrami isn’t a natural winger, and looks as if he’d be more suited to a No 10 role. But the way he plays allows Jefte or Neraysho Kasanwirjo to get round him on that left-hand side.
“He creates space for teammates, and dare I say it, brings similar qualities that Ryan Kent had.
“Kent was never an out-and-out winger but he came inside and caused problems. He left the right-back, right centre-back and midfielder unsure who should pick him up.
“Bajrami can pick up little pockets of space, is very good on the ball, likes to get a shot away, and has an array of clever passes.
“I’m sure there will be times when he overdoes things. Look at his return pass to Cyriel Dessers before half-time in Malmo, when he really needed to pull the trigger himself.
“But Bajrami might just be that little glimmer of hope that Gers fans are needing right now. They have certainly been looking for a spark this season.”
Bajrami was a standout vs Malmo
Bajrami’s best game in a Rangers shirt so far was undoubtedly the 2-0 win against Malmo with FotMob handing him a match rating of 8.4.
His goal after less than a minute sent Rangers fans wild in the Eleda Stadion and was the springboard for the club’s impressive away victory in the Europa League.
Bajrami created four chances on the night while all four of his shots were on target. He appears to be the man who will unlock doors for Rangers this season so keeping him fit and ready will be paramount.
He’s got a long way to reach the levels Kent did but perhaps he could be more of a goal threat than the former Liverpool youngster, something he struggled with towards the end of his Rangers career.
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