Glasgow Rangers secured a top-eight end within the Europa League group stage, which ensures they qualify for the last-16 with out having to play two playoff ties.
It was a superb efficiency by Philippe Clement’s males, with Cyriel Dessers and Vaclav Cerny impressing notably at Ibrox on Thursday night throughout the 2-1 win over USG.
Ideas will now flip to the weekend as Ross County journey to Glasgow for the Premiership conflict between the 2 golf equipment. Whereas Clement can be aiming for 3 factors, one eye can be on signing one other participant or two earlier than the window closes on Monday.
Kieran Dowell and Rabbi Matondo have each departed on mortgage strikes, liberating up some house within the first-team squad for a brand new signing. Loads of names have been linked in the previous couple of weeks, however the Belgian will solely deliver somebody in if they will make a worthwhile contribution.
The most recent switch information has seen the Mild Blues linked with somebody who they needed to deliver to Glasgow final summer season, however no transfer materialised.
Will or not it’s a case of second-time fortunate?
Rangers switch information
As reported by DaveOCKOP, Rangers are showing interest in Bobby Clark, who at the moment performs for Crimson Bull Salzburg in Austria.
The teenager made the transfer to the continent from Liverpool final summer season for a price within the area of £6m, but it hasn’t fairly labored out as anticipated, particularly following the arrival of recent coach Thomas Letsch.
Any transfer can be a brief one, with Clark becoming a member of the Mild Blues for the remainder of the season, however the membership have competitors. certainly, Swansea Metropolis, Derby County and Hull Metropolis are all eager on the 19-year-old, however it stays to be seen whether or not Salzburg will sanction a mortgage transfer.
Whereas creating a participant for an additional membership isn’t precisely what Clement can be searching for, it’s clear Clark may add some dynamism to the midfield.
He has even been in comparison with a former Gers midfield icon, who shone for the membership throughout a three-year spell within the Nineties – Paul Gascoigne.
Why Bobby Clark may have shades of Paul Gascoigne
The previous Liverpool teenager – who reportedly earns £3.5k-per-week in Austria – began his profession within the northeast with Newcastle United, just like Gascoigne.
Gazza entered senior soccer by making his mark on the Magpies, earlier than shifting to Tottenham Hotspur, the place his profession took off.
The previous England worldwide arguably loved his most constant spell at Ibrox, nonetheless, serving to the Gers win two home titles, whereas additionally securing a Scottish Cup and League Cup winners’ medals.
Total, he scored 39 goals in 101 appearances, leaving his mark on the Scottish sport together with his excellent shows.
As for Clark, Newcastle reporter Lee Ryder lavished praise on him when discussing the teenager previously, tipping him to comply with within the footsteps of the good ‘Gazza’:
“You may have at all times go to be very cautious with comparisons however for me – and I do not discuss this frivolously – however on the identical kind of age, you had a younger Paul Gascoigne at Newcastle.
“It was earlier than the times of diet, dietitians and all of that, so Gascoigne was carrying much more weight than Bobby, however the actuality is that kind of uncooked ability jogs my memory a bit of little bit of Gazza on the identical age.”
Not even out of his teenagers but, Clark has the potential to carve out a superb profession in senior soccer. Will a transfer to Ibrox give him one of the best platform to shine on, nonetheless?
Bobby Clark’s profession statistics
{The teenager} was dubbed as “dynamic” by journalist Mark Guidi final summer season and his underwhelming spell in Austria shouldn’t deter from simply how good he can turn into.
The Englishman made his debut for Liverpool throughout the 2022/23 marketing campaign, with Jürgen Klopp easing him into senior soccer, clearly not wanting to put an excessive amount of stress on somebody who may go far if managed appropriately.
Extra sport time got here final time period. Certainly, Clark made 12 appearances throughout all competitions for the Anfield facet, scoring as soon as and registering two assists.
It was within the Europa League that Clark showcased his expertise. Throughout two matches within the competitors, not solely did he create one big chance and common one key cross per sport, however the midfielder additionally succeeded with 100% of his dribbles whereas managing to register a shot on course every match.
These performances proved that he may sparkle on the massive stage, indicating that he may need a optimistic future in Merseyside. Klopp departed following the tip of the season, which noticed Arne Slot take cost. Clark, subsequently, needed to have a recent begin and thus joined Salzburg, who had been managed by former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders.
All through 2024/25, Clark has made 20 appearances for the Austrian facet, registering three objective contributions within the course of.
He has began solely 11 of those fixtures, nonetheless, but the teenager has nonetheless proven loads of potential.
|
Bobby Clark’s league stats for Liverpool and RB Salzburg |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Metric (per 90) |
2023/24 (Liverpool) |
2024/24 (Salzburg) |
|
Correct passes |
7.6 |
18.6 |
|
Key passes |
0 |
0.8 |
|
Pictures |
0.4 |
0.5 |
|
Tackles |
0.4 |
0.6 |
|
Complete duels received |
1 |
1.6 |
When in comparison with his positional friends throughout Europe’s huge 5 leagues and the Champions League over the earlier twelve months, Clark at the moment ranks in the top 8% for touches within the opposition penalty space (3.03), the highest 16% for assists (0.18) and within the prime 6% for progressive passes obtained (5.17).
Strong numbers, particularly contemplating it regarded like he was struggling to make his mark for the membership. Maybe a recent begin may benefit him.
Clement has Mohamed Diomande, Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron as choices within the coronary heart of the midfield. Add in younger expertise Bailey Rice, and it’s definitely a place the place the supervisor has loads of depth.
Clark can be a risk-free signing, that’s a certainty, however would he get in forward of a few of the names talked about?
That is still to be seen, but bringing him to Ibrox may give the staff that added enhance of getting one other participant able to make an impression within the beginning XI over the ultimate months of the season.
Associated
Better than Cerny: Rangers’ 35-touch dynamo may have saved his Ibrox career
Rangers secured a spot within the last-16 with a 2-1 win over USG.
