FC Basel must be sick of the sight of Cedric Itten.
Just a few weeks after smashing a 14-minute hat-trick past the Swiss giants in a Super League clash between Basel and BSC Young Boys, Itten made sure to haunt red-and-blue dreams again during Tuesday’s cup semi-final.
Not only did Itten open the scoring after just three minutes from the penalty spot, his second of the evening just past the hour ensured that Young Boys will take on either Lugano or Servette in the decider as the former Rangers striker looks to mark his debut season at the Super League leaders with a domestic double.
On current form, few would bet him netting in the final too.
Cedric Itten cannot stop scoring after leaving Rangers
“Of course, I’m proud of the team that we were able to win the difficult match here. It’s never easy to win in Basel. And it’s never easy to come here and score four goals,” BSC coach Raphael Wicky beams (Nau).
“It’s not that unhealthy, a beer after a match. If you drink, then you certainly deserve it today!”
Itten, however, may have cravings for more upmarket flavours. Namely, champagne. The sort of champagne that pairs rather beautifully with a shiny piece of silverware.
Itten left Rangers after an underwhelming spell at Ibrox last year, joining Young Boys in a deal worth just £1.5 million. After 18 goals in just 21 starts for Wicky’s side, one wonders how much Itten would go for now; reports suggesting that Bundesliga giants Borussia Monchengladbach are weighing up a summer swoop with talisman Marcus Thuram set to depart when his contract expires.
“In retrospect, I would do everything the same way again (at Rangers),” Itten told the Daily Record, back in July, his tally of eight goals in two years a far cry from his outstanding form back home in Switzerland.
“I have had countless experiences that will benefit me for the rest of my life. Football in Scotland – it’s a different world.
“I was part of the Rangers team that won what is probably the most important championship title in the club’s history. (But) now I want to get back playing here and scoring goals.”
If ‘playing’ and ‘scoring’ on a more regular basis was Itten’s mission in Bern, then he can most certainly consider it accomplished.
