Rangers have been linked with a move for IK Sirius ace Tashreeq Matthews but there are conflicting reports about a move.
We are already coming up to the midway point of the January transfer window and Rangers have just one signing on board.
Striker Fabio Silva has arrived on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers but Philippe Clement may still want more new faces.
Rangers fans would no doubt love to see another winger arrive and a fascinating rumour has emerged.
Reports in South Africa just a few days ago suggested that Rangers were battling AZ Alkmaar for IK Sirius winger Tashreeq Matthews.
Scottish reports indicate that Rangers aren’t chasing Matthews this month, but let’s take a deep dive into the South African and his career to date…
Tashreeq Matthews, the story so far
Matthews hails from Cape Town in South Africa and started his career with hometown club Ajax Cape Town.
Yet rather than move on to affiliate club Ajax – like Eyong Enoh, Steven Pienaar and Thulani Serero in years gone by – Matthews was snapped up by German giants Borussia Dortmund in 2018 without even playing a first-team game in South Africa.
Matthews never managed a senior appearance for Dortmund and spent two disappointing loan spells with Jong Utrecht and Helsingborgs IF.
Come January 2020, Matthews left Dortmund permanently and settled in Sweden with Varbergs BoIS, hitting eight goals and nine assists in 60 games.
Matthews was on the move again in August 2022, joining another Swedish club in IK Sirius – and that is where he has really kicked on.
The 23-year-old has smashed 13 goals and 10 assists in 45 games, becoming one of the most dangerous players in Sweden’s Allsvenskan.
Tashreeq Matthews player profile
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 12/09/2000
- Position: Winger
- Club: IK Sirius
- Former clubs: Ajax Cape Town, Borussia Dortmund, Jong Utrecht, Helsingborgs IF, Varbergs BoIS
- Nationality: South African
- Contract: Until December 2026
Tashreeq Matthews, the story so far
“In the short time I spent with him, I noticed that he has something different. He has the ability to unlock a defence – a great mind to think quickly and when he receives the ball, he already has a solution and if he doesn’t have a solution, he will have a great technique to find a teammate or beat his marker.”
“That is an exceptional talent and that is what you find in players such as Pienaar and Serero, but he must just be stronger because that is very important in international football, but his weapon is a very quick mind when under pressure,” – Former Ajax Cape Town boss Muhsin Ertugral.
“He has been at Borussia Dortmund, that says a lot. He is a guy who has developed over a good period. He has only risen, risen and risen,” – Varbergs BoIS sporting director Martin Pringle.
“I have seen him in a couple of matches in Sweden. He is a skilled player, but you can see that he has a little difficulty in the duel game,” – South Africa boss Hugo Broos.
Tashreeq Matthews to Rangers analysis
Matthews is clearly making an impact in Sweden and has long been regarded as an exciting talent, hence that move to Dortmund.
The step up from IK Sirius to Rangers is a huge one though and he has yet to really prove himself outside of Sweden.
South African sources seem to suggest that Rangers really are keen on Matthews, but we are inclined to believe the Scottish denials.
Adding more pace and trickery out wide would be ideal but we would be surprised to see Matthews arrive this month.
Receive a digest of our best Rangers content each week direct to your mailbox
