No fan wants to view their club as a stepping stone.
So, just three weeks after the centre-forward put pen to paper with his new club, hearing his former coach tip the youngster for a move to Rangers later down the line may not go down too well amongst the club’s supporters.
Yet, while Rangers’ transfer strategy under Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement has focused largely on players based abroad – bringing in talent based in some rather less-travelled destinations – the Glasgow giants are not averse to looking closer to home for value-for-money reinforcements.
Take Liam Kelly.
The experienced goalkeeper who obviously feels he has unfinished business at Ibrox, returning for a second spell after his Motherwell contract expired. Connor Barron too arrives from Aberdeen, a man ten years Ryan Jack’s junior hoping to emulate the former Dons skipper in Rangers blue and convinced he is the perfect fit for Clement’s system.
Scott Wright and John Souttar also earned themselves moves to the Gers after impressing elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership.
Could Filip Stuparevic be following in their footsteps later down the line?
Jasmin Jeric, who worked with the new Motherwell hitman at Slovenian outfit NK Domzale last season, certainly feels Stuparevic has the raw potential to make his stint at Fir Hill a short one.
Motherwell’s Filip Stuparevic tipped for future at Rangers
“As a coach, my impressions of Filip Stuparevic last season were quite positive,” Jeric says via the Glasgow World.
“He showed great potential and skill while playing for us. His move to Motherwell in Scotland indicates a step up in his career, which can help him further develop as a player.”
The well-travelled Stuparevic may be only 23 but his CV makes for rather interesting reading.
He has already turned out for clubs in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates and his native Serbia. Stuparevic also made a £2.5 million move to Watford when still a teenager, only for work permit issues to deny him the chance to represent the Hornets.
Still, the former Serbia Under 21 international remains far from the finished article. He scored only six goals for Domzale last term and has just 24 in 143 senior games.
“Filip needs to continue performing consistently, showcase his skills in the Scottish league as well, and stand out in matches, since his tactical understanding and cognitive capacity is splendid,” adds Jeric, who feels the sky is the limit if Stuparevic can add a more ruthless streak to his game.
“Hard work, dedication, strong mentality and improving his goal-scoring efficiency will be crucial for him to fulfil his potential and attract interest from bigger clubs.
“Filip has definitely got the potential to play for clubs in England or even for the size of Rangers and Celtic in Scotland. His move to Motherwell is a significant step towards putting himself in the spotlight for bigger clubs.”
Philippe Clement may need another strike this summer
Jeric feels that Stuparevic is not quite a classic number nine but maybe something more akin to a number ten.
A Kemar Roofe-style link man between midfield and attack.
“His versatility as a striker allows him to adapt to different formations,” the coach explains. “However, personally, Filip might suit the 3-5-1-1 formation better, as it provides more support behind the primary striker and allows him to link up play with midfielders.
“To reach the level of playing for bigger clubs, Filip needs to add consistency to his game. Consistency in performance, decision-making, and goal-scoring can elevate his game to the next level, which he is more than capable of.
“Since the football in the UK is based on the physicality, this is a parameter where he can improve further. While keeping the tactical awareness and adaptability to different playing styles sharp, we could see him thrive at a higher level of competition.
“Playing in Scotland can serve as a stepping stone for potential moves to bigger clubs in the future.”
Rangers, meanwhile, snapped up a talented young forward themselves last week. Hamza Igamane seals his £1.7 million move from Moroccan outfit RAF Rabat; a transfer that has been likened, in some quarters, to the deal which brought Alfredo Morelos to Scotland in 2017.
Former Gers striker Kenny Miller, meanwhile, tells the Daily Record that a more proven, established centre-forward may be required – say, a Lawrence Shankland – if Cyriel Dessers departs for PAOK.
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