Daniel Candeias’ performance against St Johnstone shows that Eros Grezda will find it tough getting into the side.
Much has been made of the arrival of Grezda from NK Osijek this summer. Certain people believe he’s also going to be worth £20million one day. Yet, for now, it appears he’s going to have a tough time seeing some games in the light blue jersey.
That’s because Portuguese star Candeias is in riproaring form these days.
Another smashing performance from the right-winger against St Johnstone carried on from a produtive display in Villarreal. Candeias managed to cap off his appearance today with the fifth goal in the 5-1 rout of Saints.
Attentions for him will now turn to Wednesday’s Betfred Cup quarter-final against Ayr United at Ibrox. Should Candeias be given the nod once more, he’ll have a tremendous chance to build on his performances in recent times. The Portuguese must have his eye on a couple of goals and assists as we come to an intriguing time in his Rangers career.
The right-wing battle
Grezda is set to battle Candeias for his spot in the team in the near future. The Albanian was a star in Croatia with Osijek, and is also looking like a promising figure for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers.
Him not playing ahead of Candeias would surprise everyone given he’s a Gerrard signing. But, with the way the Pedro Caixinha signing has been playing, it would be difficult to drop him.
The right-winger is one of the few players at the club who truly understands it. Despite not being raised in Glasgow, he’s taken to the club like a duck to water and has fallen in love with the Ibrox faithful.
Supporters want Candeias to succeed more than most, such is his love and passion for the club. He certainly has a fight on his hands with the much-talked about Grezda coming in, however.
His performances against Villarreal and St Johnstone have to just be the start if he’s to fend off the challenge. Grezda is likely to get his shot in the Rangers first-team in the next couple of weeks at least.
This means that Candeias can’t afford one sloppy display at this moment in time. For now, supporters are delighted with how he’s performing. But in the long-term, he needs to build some consistency to avoid getting frozen out.
