Philippe Clement, after securing the Ibrox newcomer’s services late in the summer transfer window, wasted little time telling the Rangers supporters what they could expect.
Namely, a footballer capable of thriving in a multitude of different positions.
This was a man who, at his former charges, had been utilised as a centre-half, a defensive midfielder, a right-back and even as a left-back.
And, as the Scottish giants won their first Europa League game of 2024/25 against Malmo in Sweden, the Feyenoord loanee showed the travelling support what their manager meant when Philippe Clement lauded the flexibility Neraysho Kasanwirjo would bring to Rangers.
Starting on the left despite his right-footed nature, Neraysho Kasanwirjo never looked out of place even for a second.
While obviously providing a very different sort of presence compared to an injured Ridvan Yilmaz and a suspended Jefte Vital, the way Kasanwirjo would drift into midfield in a kind of inverted full-back role popularised by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City helped Rangers out-manoeuvre Malmo and create a numerical superiority in the centre of the park.
- READ MORE: Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
Neraysho Kasanwirjo impresses Philippe Clement as Rangers beat Malmo
When in possession, the excellent Connor Barron would often drop in to create a back three alongside Robin Propper and John Souttar.
Thus, allowing Kasanwirjo to push on, either holding the width on the touchline or coming infield alongside Mohamed Diomande.
Ally McCoist, on co-commentary duty for TNT Sports, was a little taken aback to see Kasanwirjo handed a first Rangers start on the night.
He had expected Dujon Sterling to step in after Jefte was controversially sent off during Rangers’ defeat to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualifiers.
But Kasanwirjo quickly justified his selection, while simultaneously justifying Clement’s earlier suggestion that the Dutch Under 21 international could come to represent two or three signings rolled into one given his penchant for performing in a multitude of different roles.
A man so versatile it would make Daniel Day Lewis look like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
“[Kasanwirjo starting at left-back] surprised me,” Rangers legend McCoist said. “I know Sterling has not really set the heather on fire this season, I know he was better last season, but it was still a surprise for me.
“You see [full-backs drifting into midfield] a lot, particularly with Manchester City. And that’s exactly the position he’s playing when the centre-backs have the ball.
“He really has [looked comfortable].”
Rangers boss Clement thinks Kasanwirjo adds something different
Rangers would cruise to a victory far more straightforward than even the most optimistic supporter might have imagined. Coach Henrik Rydstrom admits Malmo could not deal with Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers, while Barron and Diomande also helped command the midfield for a visiting side who disrupted the hosts’ tempo with their high-pressing and quick transitions.
Kasanwirjo, however, is unlikely to make the left-back spot his own at Ibrox.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd hailed Jefte’s emergence as an inspired replacement for the departed Borna Barisic this week. Yilmaz should also return sooner rather than later.
But this is the sort of occasion which explains why Clement brought Kasanwirjo to Scotland in the first place. When injuries strike, when options are thin, the Rangers boss can always rely on his Man for All Seasons.
“I saw him play several times as left full-back [in the Netherlands],” Clement told reporters at full-time. “He’s not the same type of full-back as Jefte or Ridvan. It’s a different type of full-back.
“More defensive. Also right footed of course. But it was important to have somebody like that in the structure that we wanted to play today. He did a really good job.
“He’s just in the building, he didn’t play too much until now. And he’s showing that he has the right mindset. The physical and technical capacities.
“So it’s an interesting one for the future.”
