Spanish manager explains why Rangers exit has led to £35m striker earning first call-up
Yesterday at 02:00 PM
It's fair to say that Fabio Silva didn't always get the rub of the green whilst turning out in the blue of Rangers.
The Portuguese striker, 22, spent the second half of last season on loan at Ibrox after Wolves sanctioned the first transfer of the Nils Koppen era at Rangers.
But it was a challenging few months for Fabio Silva, who was signed to compete with Cyriel Dessers in the 'number nine' role but wound up pushed out wide due to the Ibrox club's injury problems.
Despite claiming that he succeeded in Glasgow, Silva failed to shoot the Ibrox side to the title and left in the summer only to move on loan to Las Palmas.
Now, after impressing in La Liga, Fabio Silva has earned his first call-up to the Portugal team and manager Roberto Martinez has told reporters what's changed between now and the striker leaving Rangers.
Roberto Martinez explains Fabio Silva call
Spanish manager Roberto Martinez is one of the wiliest operators in the game and knows a good player when he sees one.
The former Everton and Belgium manager admits he's been casting glances towards Fabio Silva all the way back to the player's time at Rangers.
But the 51-year-old claims that Silva has been given more opportunity to make an impact in the opposition box since moving to Spain, with his offensive output improving as a result.
"We followed Fábio Silva for many months," Martinez explains, as quoted by O Jogo.
"Because he is a player who has a lot of good movements, has the ability to open spaces, to play in the back of the opponent's goal
"Going to a new club gave him more impact in the box, his numbers improved a lot.
"He is a different player, there is no Fábio Silva in the National Team at the moment. He worked hard and deserves to be at this level now."
Fabio Silva has been on fine form with both Las Palmas and the Portugal U21s, netting three goals in the Spanish top flight this season.
Ex-Rangers star insists he 'succeeded in Scotland'
Fabio Silva had a challenging spell at Rangers as the club's injury-plagued squad fell at the final hurdle in the Scottish Premiership battle with Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Stumbling against Dundee and Ross County ultimately cost Rangers and with defeat in the Scottish Cup Final, Silva left the club without a winners' medal.
Having been heavily involved in the second half of the season, the talented striker netted six goals in 25 games for the Gers and insists his time in Glasgow was a success.
The striker has also tried to distance himself from the £35m fee Wolves paid for Silva in 2020 when the ex-Porto star was a teenager.
"I came here to succeed and I think I succeeded in Scotland because I am now in La Liga," said Silva.
"The issue of the transfer fee that Wolves paid is something that happened and it wasn't my fault.
"I am 22 years old and I think people forget that. I think I am at my best when I do things instinctively.
"I love the idea of playing in La Liga and I made a huge effort to be here. Las Palmas were the first team that spoke to me in May and it was my choice to be here.
"There's no point in me putting any pressure on myself by predicting how many goals I will score. I'm here because I'm a striker and I also live off scoring goals. But I can play in many positions, wherever the manager wants."
