Fabio Silva might not have convinced the Rangers support during a six-month loan stint in Glasgow.
But the £35m Wolves striker is certainly doing something right in Spain with the likes of Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid having their heads turned by the hitman’s form with Las Palmas.
Rangers is an unforgiving environment for most players – as the club’s current crop are finding out after defeat to Queen’s Park – and Fabio Silva was also a victim of this intense scrutiny.
But since finding his feet in Spain this season, the 22-year-old Wolves forward has been explaining why it never quite happened at Ibrox.
Fabio Silva on what was ‘different’ at Rangers
Rangers struck a six-month loan deal with Fabio Silva in January last season with the Portuguese striker Nils Koppen’s first signing at Ibrox.
There were initially promising flickers for Silva in Glasgow but the move wound up dissipating following the Gers’ Europa League exit and Scottish Premiership collapse.
Rangers were a striker short going into the second half of the campaign due to an over-reliance on the perennially injured pair of Kemar Roofe and Danilo.
But another injury in the squad, this time to Abdallah Sima, forced Fabio Silva out wide and it was off the left the natural striker played the bulk of his stint at Rangers.
With Atletico Madrid now turning their attentions to Silva due to his red hot form with Las Palmas, where the hitman has seven La Liga goals this season, Fabio explains he had to adapt to survive in Glasgow.
It’s a big part of the reason why he’s so happy with Las Palmas, a place where the striker admits he feels ‘appreciated’.
”Here, I feel appreciated, and I needed that for my career — a place that welcomed me and suited my playing style,” Silva told the Athletic.
“If you see the other counties I’ve been… maybe because it’s Spain and people watch it more than Scotland, Belgium or Holland, but I think I did a very good job.
“I played a different position at Rangers and PSV so I had to adapt.
“The Scottish league is more physical so I feel more comfortable in that aspect of the game, being prepared to help the team without the ball and connecting the team.”
Ex-Rangers striker reacts to Atletico Madrid links
Fabio Silva remains a player of real intrigue and this season finally broke through into the Portugal squad.
The ex-Rangers forward made a big money move to Wolves as a teenager but struggled with the challenge of the English Premier League.
Now, the former Porto forward is in high demand with the likes of Atletico Madrid reportedly trailing the striker.
Silva has now responded to those links and insists for the time being, Las Palmas is the place he wants to be.
“My focus is on Las Palmas and achieving the season’s goal, which is to stay in the division,” said Silva.
“The interest from Atletico is something I leave to my agent, Carlos Oliveira. But what can I say about Atletico? It’s one of the best clubs in the world and in this league. (Diego) Simeone is one of the best coaches in the world.
“But I’m happy at Las Palmas. I have an excellent relationship with the coach, the president and the people at the club.”
