Rangers will have to overcome Malmo FF if they want to make the Champions League land of milk & honey – but one of the Swedish club’s most in-demand players highlights the size of the challenge.
The Gers have certainly earned their tag of favourites – even if both Allan McGregor and Steven Gerrard wouldn’t be drawn on it – and can be confident if not wary heading into the clash.
But Malmo do have talent within their ranks and in Anel Ahmedhodžić, 22, there’s no bigger asset in the entire country of Sweden at present.
The big Bosnian centre-half is a key player for Jon Dahl Thomasson’s side alongside Croatian forward Antonio Čolak and Danish playmaker Anders Christiansen.
But only one of the three is being tailed by Europe’s top clubs with Ahmedhodžić reportedly being eyed up by the likes of Serie A clubs Atalanta and Napoli.
This comes after the player was linked to the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, with the player’s father even claiming he had a £6.9m transfer to Stamford Bridge blocked [the Sun].
But it’s a move to Italy that is looking increasingly more likely according to Tutto Mercato Web and Ahmedhodžić himself.
“I did hear about interest from Italy and meetings between some clubs and my agent,” said Ahmedhodžić.
“It is pleasing to know clubs from one of the biggest leagues in the world are interested in me. That confirms how well I’ve done so far.
“Having said that, I am now ready for the next step. I am at the biggest Swedish club, which everyone expects to win, so I became accustomed to pressure and I like it.
“It does look as if Italy will be my next destination, but nothing has been signed yet, so it’s all still to be seen. I do love Italian football, both Serie A and the Azzurri, who went all the way to win the European Championship.”
Whilst a move to Italy now looks likely, Ahmedhodžić remains an important part of Malmo’s Champions League charge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keLSo5jo_wI
The Bosnian international has played in all four of the club’s Champions League qualifiers thus far and is expected to take to the field against the Gers.
The latest show-stopping product of the Malmo youth academy, Ahmedhodžić did spend some time in England with Nottingham Forest and even made his debut as a 17-year-old at the City Ground.
But that appears to have been too much too soon as the player returned to Malmo after three years before going on to cement himself in the Swedish side after a brief loan spell in Denmark with Hobro IK.
Now a six-times capped Bosnian international, bigger and better things await the centre-back but first, the defender’s presence at Malmo is a timely reminder of the quality in the club’s ranks.
Whilst Ahmedhodžić is expected to start for Malmo – here’s how we’re predicting the Gers will line up in Sweden.
