Antonio Colak is already making an impression in Italy with the former Rangers striker scoring a ‘beautiful goal’ in Parma’s 5-0 thrashing of Catanzaro in Serie B.
Now, even during that eventually short-lived stay at Rangers, Antonio Colak showcased what former Parma director Antonello Preiti refers to as his ‘sense of goal’.
With 18 in all competitions – 14 of those coming in the Scottish Premiership – it certainly wasn’t the Croatian’s finishing ability which cost him his place in Mick Beale’s plans, the Rangers boss seemingly more concerned with Colak’s lack of effectiveness outside the box and his inability to create a reliable link between midfield and attack.
If you want a striker capable of dropping deep, hassling defenders and pressing from the front, Colak is not your man. But if it’s a finisher you’re looking for, then you’d struggle to find better value than the £1.7 million deal which took the well-travelled poacher to Parma over the summer.
Former Rangers striker Antonio Colak shines in Italy
“He has a sense of goal. It’s evident and he demonstrated it with this beautiful goal,” Preiti tells Parma Live; Colak twisting and turning a baffled Catanzaro defender before slotting into the bottom corner.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
“He has everything to impose himself and become a protagonist in Parma’s attack.
“Honestly, (Parma coach) Fabbio Pecchia has a top-class array of attackers at his disposal, which I believe is unique in Serie B.”
Colak has already scored twice in four games for the two-time UEFA Cup winners. The journeyman finisher has broken the 15-goal barrier at four different clubs already in his career – Rangers, Malmo, Rijeka and Nurnberg – and few would bet against him making it five after flying out of the blocks in his new Italian home.
“It’s difficult for me to speak Italian now, but later I want to learn the language,” Colak tells Tuttomercatoweb.
“My international experience is quite extensive. I’ve played in several countries, but my dream has always been to play in an Italian team.”