You can never have enough matchwinners in your ranks. Particularly if you are – like Rangers – a club with ambitions of domestic silverware.
And particularly if your rivals for the Scottish Premiership title can switch up their attack and still start a frontline consisting of Luis Palma, James Forrest and Adam Idah.
In contrast, Rangers do not possess anywhere near the same level of depth in the final third, Rabbi Matondo and Scott Wright far off the levels of their green-clad rivals and injuries to Kemar Roofe and Danilo leaving Philippe Clement with just one fully fit number nine throughout much of 2024.
The signing of Albion Rrahmani would, at least, ease the pressure on Cyriel Dessers; well-meaning and hard-working yet inconsistent and frequently profligate.
According to Digi Sport, Rangers director Nils Koppen held talks with Rrahmani’s agent last week. Despite the claims of Rapid Bucharest president Dan Sucu – publicly floating the idea of a £7 million sale – it is believed that £5 million may be enough for The Gers to get their man.
Rangers open Albion Rrahmani talks
Rapid’s loss would, of course, be Rangers’ gain.
Club legend Adrian Iencsi has worked closely with Rrahmani during his time as Rapid’s assistant coach. And he believes that the Kosovo international is more than deserving of that ‘matchwinner’ tag, Rrahmani the sort of striker who comes alive in the penalty area and can turn one point into three in a blink of an eye.
“A player of great quality. He made the difference in many matches,” Iencsi says, via Sport Romania.
“He’s the type of player we haven’t seen in our league for a long time. I know him. I worked with him. He has a special character. Hard worker, very involved (in the build-up).
“He was born with a great talent. He is a striker who can win you a game at any time. He stood out through the goals he scored.”
A Golden Boot winner in 2023
Rrahmani won the Golden Boot in his native Kosovo with Ballkani last term. The 23-year-old poacher – an agile and artistic finisher off both feet – scored 19 in 30 matches since joining Rapid Bucharest too, 17 of those coming in Romania’s top flight.
For Marius Sumudica, coach of Rapid over a decade ago, the Romanian game has not seen a goalscorer as talented as Rrahmani since Cyril Thereau was playing for Steaua Bucharest in 2006/07.
“Rrahmani is a decent boy, down to earth,” adds Cristiano Bergodi, the manager who preceded Neil Lennon in the Rapid dugout (Pro Sport). “For such a good player, it’s normal to have interest from other teams.
“Rrahmani played well. He is an extraordinary striker. It’s normal that he has offers.
“Naturally, he will leave in the summer. It is possible to leave. If he has an offer, no player from Romania is unavailable. He must think about having a good season so that he remains in the memory of the agents, the clubs.”
