If there is one player Rangers fans want to see returning to Ibrox unscathed, it’s Albanian playmaker Nedim Bajrami.
Signed on deadline day from relegated Serie B side Sassuolo, Bajrami has begun to settle at Rangers and by the week is becoming a more integral player to the side.
So you’ll forgive Ibrox fans for holding their breath every time Nedim Bajrami has gone out with the Albania team during the international break.
As Rangers wait on the fitness of two international stars, Bajrami might’ve got through Albania’s final UEFA Nations League injury-free.
But it’s fair to say the 25-year-old will have something of a broken heart after scoring on the night his side suffered relegation from the tournament’s groups.
Nedim Bajrami suffers relegation despite penalty
Heading into the MD6 clash between Albania and Ukraine, Nedim Bajrami already needed a favour from Rangers teammate Vaclav Cerny.
The Czech Republic winger was getting ready to turn out against Georgia with a competitive UEFA Nations League B Group 1 set to come down to the wire.
But despite Vaclav Cerny and the Czech Republic doing their bit in Olomouc, it wasn’t to be for Nedim and his Albanian teammates.
Rangers loanee Cerny played 57 minutes as the Czechs overcame Georgia 2-1 but Albania couldn’t get the win over Ukraine which would have guaranteed them progression.
Despite Nedim Bajrami netting a late penalty kick for his nation, Albania couldn’t bounce back from losing two early goals and lost 2-1 against Ukraine.
The results mean the Czechs topped the group with 11 points, whilst Ukraine finish second on eight points and both Georgia and Albania ended up on seven.
Given Albania’s inferior -2 goal difference, it means the nation has been relegated to UEFA Nations League C the next time the tournament rolls around.
Rangers star’s teammate in dressing room storm
Following the relegation, Albania international Myrto Uzuni has also caused something of a storm in the nation’s dressing room.
The Granada forward, 29, came off the bench at half-time against Ukraine and won the penalty that was duly dispatched by Rangers star Nedim Bajrami.
Bajrami was also introduced at the interval.
Speaking after the game, Uzuni had some choice words for Brazilian coach Sylvinho and reckons had he started in Tirana, things might’ve gone differently.
“In the Granada team, I play as a striker and I am the undisputed starter every game,” Uzuni told ReportTV.
“I did not play against the Czech Republic and I believed that I would play against Ukraine because I am a space player and I press a lot. We would create chances.”
Albania manager Sylvinho has also been speaking about the result and expressed disappointment that his side were the ones to suffer relegation from a tight group.
“I feel sad about the loss because we worked all the time to win,” Sylvinho told ReportTV.
“We suffered because we played very badly in the first 15 minutes and we paid the price for that. At a high level, these things are not forgiven.”
