Rangers brought winger Eros Grezda to Ibrox last month.
Albania boss Christian Panucci has told The Scottish Mail on Sunday (09/09, p89) that he thinks the next two to three months will be key for new Rangers signing Eros Grezda.
Rangers brought in 15 new signings over the summer, with a real mix of players with experience of Scottish football such as Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield and Kyle Lafferty, and English talents like Connor Goldson, Jon Flanagan, Ovie Ejaria and Ryan Kent.
One of the more interesting tactics Rangers took was to exploit the Croatian market too, landing three new faces from Croatia’s top flight in the aftermath of their run to the World Cup final.
Defender Nikola Katic started the run, arriving from Slaven Belupo, before left back Borna Barisic joined from Osijek having starred against Rangers in Europa League qualifying ties against the Gers.
Another player arrived from Osijek in the final days of the transfer window, as winger Eros Grezda joined too, though he has been injured for some time and subsequently didn’t play against Rangers.
The 23-year-old has impressed in Croatia, hitting eight goals and three assists for Osijek last season following a 2017 move from top flight rivals Lokomotiva, with Rangers seemingly suitably impressed.
Grezda was named in the Albania squad to face Scotland on Monday, which would have given Rangers fans a chance to see Grezda up close, but he has been withdrawn from the squad over his injury.
Now, Albania boss Christian Panucci has told The Scottish Mail on Sunday (09/09, p89) that he thinks the next two or three months will be ‘great’ for Grezda, as he will learn to push himself more in Scotland – and called on the speedy winger to ‘solve a problem’ by putting himself ahead of other Albanian talents and nailing down a key role for his country.
“Grezda is a very good player and the next two or three months will be great for him,” said Panucci. “He has all the qualities — he is quick, strong and technically good but going to Scotland he will learn to push, push, push. He is still coming back from his injury, so he is not ready yet but once we get him right, say in two months or so, he can be a big player for Albania.”
“It’s up to him whether he becomes a regular starter. We have other good players, so it’s a problem he needs to solve but he has the opportunity. He will develop just by playing in the Scottish league and the fact Rangers are going to be playing in the Europa League should also help him,” he added.
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