Barry Ferguson says Rangers ace 'looks like a £3 million player' after Clement handed him a new role
12/20/2024 03:00 PM
The summer signings’ impressive start to life at Rangers feels all the more eye-catching when you consider Philippe Clement was utilising him in a less-favoured position.
Flexibility has become a key attribute in recent times when it comes to identifying potential new additions at Ibrox.
Last summer, Rangers brought in Mohamed Diomande – Clement himself described Diomande as ‘really versatile’ when he initially joined on loan from Nordsjaelland – as well as Dutch utility man Neraysho Kasanwirjo.
Dujon Sterling, meanwhile, has played just about every role in defence and midfield since he arrived on a free-transfer. Danilo, Sam Lammers, Fabio Silva and Abdallah Sima, meanwhile, were all capable of operating in a variety of spot across the frontline.
As for the Albania international who put pen to paper back in August on deadline day, Nedim Bajrami admits he’s more comfortable as a number ten than wide on the left.
Yet, with Tom Lawrence impressing, most of Bajrami’s early appearances in that blue shirt came on the flank rather than through the middle.
But, as Lawrence picks up another injury and and Philippe Clement leaves both Danilo and Ianis Hagi out of the Europa League roster, Nedim Bajrami certainly staked his claim for a run in the number ten role as Rangers held Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox and took Celtic to penalties at Hampden Park.
Barry Ferguson thinks Nedim Bajrami is at his best in Rangers’ number ten role
Bajrami was a near-constant threat in the first-half as Rangers outplayed Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side. He then opened the scoring in the Scottish League Cup final three days later, following in to tap home after Kasper Schmeichel had parried Hamza Igamane’s effort.
Now, Bajrami had produced his fair share of eye-catching displays while situated out on the left, particularly in Europe.
But former captain Barry Ferguson feels that Rangers are seeing what the former Sassuolo playmaker is truly capable of when handing him the freedom to pull the strings and make late runs into the penalty area.
“Nedim Bajrami is starting to look like a £3 million player now he's being deployed in the number ten role,” Ferguson tells the Daily Record.
“I really enjoyed the way he got his goal [against Celtic]. He wasn't just happy to play Igamane in and then stand back admiring his own pass. He was on the move right away because he sniffed there might be the chance for a tap-in if Kasper Schmeichel spilled the shot.
“And that is exactly what happened.”
Ibrox newbie Bajrami ‘a much better’ player through the middle
That was Bajrami’s fourth goal in 20 Rangers appearances. Whether he retains that central position when Lawrence is back available remains to be seen, while Danilo and the revitalised Hagi are also breathing down his neck.
Bajrami is, however, arguably more technically-gifted and cerebral than Lawrence. A more natural attacking midfielder than Danilo, too. Hagi, meanwhile, has impressed operating in Bajrami’s old left-hand side role after forcing his way back into Clement’s plans.
There is no reason why both players cannot feature in the same XI.
Neil McCann, a former teammate of Ferguson’s at Ibrox, cannot help feeling that, whichever selection Clement settles on, Bajrami in behind the centre-forward is one constant that should remain.
"I thought Rangers were miles ahead of where they were when they faced them at Celtic Park [losing 3-0 in September],” McCann tells BBC Sportscene.
"The shape allowed Rangers to be a big feature in the game. Philippe Clement changed it a wee bit. We've seen him for large parts of the season playing with three midfielders and three attackers. But getting an extra attacker in there and playing Bajrami as a ten…
“This is where this guy was bought to play and he's had to be patient. I think he's a much better player coming from the ten. Bajrami was set up to pounce on any mistakes.”
