Rangers have been handed a boost in their pursuit of FC Socchi striker Mateo Cassierra with potential moves to Red Star Belgrade and rival Russian Premier League clubs ruled out, as reported by Sport Express.
It’s most certainly worth repeating. Yes, Rangers lost in the Europa League final but the fact they got there in the first place is one hell of an achievement.
The Gers came within a missed penalty of becoming the first Scottish side since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen to lift a major European trophy, despite playing both the semi-final and the final without either of their first-choice centre-forwards.
It was not only a testament to the versatility of Joe Aribo, scorer of Rangers’ only goal in Seville, but also the excellent management of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Since replacing Steven Gerrard at Ibrox, Van Bronckhorst has bounced back from a sluggish start to construct a tough-as-nails team, in his image.
Hard-working, high-pressing and one capable of bouncing back from even the most crushing of blows; A la, that Christopher Nkunku wondergoal in Glasgow, the season-ending injury suffered by talismanic top scorer Morelos.
But, with all due repsect to Aribo, he is no long-term solution at centre-forward. A sticking plaster at best.
With Morelos facing an uncertain future, Kemar Roofe injury-prone and Fashion Sakala consistently inconsistent, a new centre-forward would be welcomed with open arms.
Rangers want Mateo Cassierra from FC Socchi
According to Russian reporter Roman Naguchev, Rangers have held talks with FC Socchi about 25-year-old Cassierra, a former Ajax youngster Van Bronckhorst knows well from his time in the Eredivisie.
Cassierra’s agent refused to rule out a move to Glasgow last week. And, tellingly, Martin Araoz was far more dismissive when quizzed about interest from other RPL clubs.
How much can be read into this is anyone’s guess. But it certainly seems positive as far as Rangers are concerned.
“Several clubs are talking to me about the transfer of Cassierra,” Araoz says. “Russian clubs are not interested in Mateo. Let’s see what happens.”
Cassierra took his tally to 14 goals in 26 games with a clinical hat-trick against Dynamo Moscow last time out. He is reportedly a target for Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade too.
“No, we are not interested in signing Cassierra,” general director Zvezdan Terzic tells Championat, putting an early end to those rumours. “The plans of the club include (signing) a Serbian striker.”
Rangers are unlikely to have a clear run at Cassierra. But it seems they won’t face quite as much competition as was initially feared.
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