Rangers manager Steven Gerrard named Cedric Itten as his Man of the Match from Sunday’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock, as quoted by the Glasgow Times.
The Swiss international joined the Gers in August and was handed just his third start for the club in the big Premiership fixture at Rugby Park.
Deployed predominantly on the right side, Itten worked his socks off across the 90 minutes, holding the ball up well and fashioning several opportunities for teammates.
He was denied from close range by Danny Rogers after being picked out by Steven Davis in the second half, but despite the lack of a goal, his manager was delighted with the forward’s showing.
“He was superb – the man of the match,” said Gerrard, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “This is one of the hardest places to come as a team and for an individual, especially in the forward areas.”
“The Killie defenders are physical and can make it uncomfortable for you. Cedric’s hold-up play today – that was a top performance from someone who is big, strong and a threat.
“He has been patient. He’s one we’ve had to treat slightly differently. He’s a young lad coming away from home on his own. He hasn’t had an off season, he hasn’t had a rest yet. But he is hungry and a great professional. He’s only going to get better and better.”
Rangers boss Gerrard lauds Cedric Itten for Kilmarnock display – Verdict
Itten is one of many options Steven Gerrard now has at his disposal at the top end of the pitch and he’s found game time relatively hard to come by over the opening months of his Gers career.
He impressed with a brace off the bench against Motherwell in September, though, and he looked very much the part at Rugby Park on Sunday.
As the matchwinner and the standout defender respectively, James Tavernier and Connor Goldson were the obvious choices for Man of the Match.
Yet, Gerrard was clearly impressed with his summer signing and is perhaps trying to boost his confidence with this praise.
Itten did well to regularly isolate diminutive Killie left-back Calum Waters and used his considerable strength to hold the ball up to great effect, but it’s clear that there’s much more to his game than sheer physicality.
With Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe both preferring the no.9 role, the 23-year-old’s versatility will serve him well going forward.
