Nedim Bajrami was a late arrival in the summer transfer window at Rangers but the Albanian has wasted no time finding his feet in Glasgow.
Signed on transfer deadline day in a £3.4m deal which was initially supposed to be a loan, it was clear Rangers were desperate to bring the Albanian international from Sassuolo in Italy.
Despite his late arrival, at 25 Nedim Bajrami is one of the Ibrox squad’s more senior players with experience at the top level across Europe.
Now, the Rangers playmaker has been addressing everything from Hamza Igamane, his own form and Rangers abysmal away record ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee
Nedim Bajrami hails ‘quiet’ Hamza Igamane
As part of his role at Rangers, Nedim Bajrami has set about striking an on and off-field connection with his new Ibrox teammates.
Over the last few weeks, that connection has begun to blossom as the Rangers frontline shows signs that it’s starting to click.
Much of that comes down the creative exploits of Nedim Bajrami, Vaclav Cerny and Ianis Hagi, but the midfielder has also heaped praise on breakthrough striker Hamza Igamane.
The Moroccan hitman, 22, is the talk of the Scottish football steamie after netting a stunning hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Hibs with talk of £12m valuations already.
“I am happy for Hamza because in the beginning it was hard for him to come here from a different country until he learned everything and improved his English,” said Barami.
”We tried to help him every day on the pitch, outside of the pitch.
”At the end of the day he’s the striker and this is his job, he has to score.
”I think for him when he scores for a bit of self confidence but even for us, the number 10, right-winger, left-winger, to do an assist for Hamza, this is important for us.”
Off the park, some might suspect Hamza Igamane could be tempted by the sudden fame he’ll be experiencing in and around Glasgow.
But Bajrami insists that the young Moroccan is keeping his feet on the ground and like everyone else at Ibrox, is feeling the benefit of a togetherness in the squad.
”Hamza is a really quiet boy and he does his job, he comes to the training, he works really hard,” said Bajrami.
”Me and him we have a really good relationship on the pitch, outside of the pitch. Everyone tries to help each other.”
Nedim Bajrami hints at where he’ll start v Dundee
Whilst much of the focus has been on Hamza Igamane as of late, Nedim Bajrami has also been speaking about his own form.
The creative Albanian has impressed in recent matches after going through a dull spell and claims a positional change might have something to do with it.
Ianis Hagi has started the last few matches out on the left-wing with Nedim Bajrami given the number 10 role he so craves at Ibrox.
The rivalry between the two for the position is a healthy one and Nedim insists the connection is growing across the pitch.
”I’m feeling well and I’m playing number 10 position but even with Ianis (Hagi) we have a lot of rotation in this position so yeah, I’m feeling well,” Bajrami said.
”I think you see it even on the pitch.
“We play really well together so even the players come inside, we have good connection on the pitch, outside of the pitch.”
But what about Dundee?
Rangers are under immense pressure to turn their abysmal away form around with the Ibrox side winning just three of ten away matches in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Nedim Bajrami insists Rangers are ‘ready’ for the challenge of the trip to Dens Park and has urged his teammates to take their chances when they come.
“I think the boys are ready,” said Bajrami. “Everyone knows what to do tomorrow and we’re looking forward to playing the game.
”Against these teams there is less space because they stay always behind and they try to play counter attack.
”But we try tomorrow our best to win the game and to take these three points because we know it’s a difficult game tomorrow.
“I think we showed this every weekend and we have to keep going like this.”
The Rangers playmaker also reflected on the poor result against Hibs, with Rangers now without an away win in three games.
According to Bajrami, the responsibility is on Rangers to go an impact these games and wants to see more focus in the clash in the City of Discovery.
”First half we played really well and then second half we dropped a little bit our rhythm,” said Bajrami.
”So tomorrow we have to try to keep it for 90 minutes and to take these three points and to not drop points.
”Because at the end of the day when we play against teams like this we have always more ball possession and it depends more about us and we have to do the rhythm and do our game.
”Maybe to try to change sides faster and when we have these chances in front of the goal to score and to be careful with counter attack.”
