Umar Sadiq’s playing time hasn’t been frequent this season, but the forgotten front-man has stated he’s going nowhere.
The forward is only at Rangers for the year in a loan deal from Roma. He was one of Steven Gerrard’s first recruits in the door, but hasn’t been able to make an impression at the club.
With Alfredo Morelos and Kyle Lafferty both occupying the striking role, a look-in for Sadiq has been rare. The striker has only made three competitive appearances for the club.
Yet, speaking to All Nigeria Soccer, the Nigerian striker stated he has no plans to leave the club and head back to Italy.
“It’s too soon to talk about movements. I am here to play football and I know it won’t be easy. Its a privilege to work with a living legend like Steven Gerrard.
“I’m working hard in training and we’re doing the right things. Its just too early to talk about leaving. Let’s just see how the future turns out.”
Sadiq clearly has the correct attitude and is determined to impress the manager in training. The chances of him being a success, however, remain extremely limited.
The on-loan striker has had scenarios where he could’ve been thrown in. Instead, Gerrard has either changed formation or, in one occasion, signed someone else in Lafferty.
Rumours were doing the rounds over the last couple of weeks about Dominic Solanke or Darren Bent signing for the club. If either of those do, then surely Sadiq would indeed be as well going back to Roma.
As much as everyone wants every Gerrard signing to work out, it’s difficult to see where the forward fits in. As much as he says he is, it’s clear he isn’t impressing the manager enough in training.
It’s difficult to argue with both Morelos and Lafferty’s goal returns for the club this season also. The Colombian is the top goalscorer at the club, whilst new-man Lafferty already has a couple to his name.
Sadiq did score against Wigan in a friendly before putting in an eye-catching shift in a reserve match against St Mirren. Outside of that, however, his impact has been nothing.
How this scenario unfolds is now the question on everyone’s lips regarding Sadiq. It seemed as though Gerrard was initially just waiting to ease him into the squad. Now it seems as though he just doesn’t favour the Nigerian.
He’ll continue to work hard and no doubt put in the work at training, but playing Sadiq ahead of Lafferty or Morelos is a no-go.
