Umar Sadiq has made just one substitute appearance in the Scottish Premiership since joining Rangers from AS Roma.
The week could not have gone much better for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers. After the impressive 2-2 draw away at Villareal in the Europa League, the Glasgow giants made it nine goals in two Scottish Premiership games with a 5-1 thrashing of St Johnstone at Ibrox.
Once again, however, Umar Sadiq was nowhere to be seen. The Nigerian striker arrived on loan from Roma this summer but has managed just 27 minutes of football across three substitute appearances and none since August.
With both Kyle Lafferty and Alfredo Morelos in top form, it remains to be seen when Sadiq’s chance will arrive, if at all.
And Gerrard’s latest comments do not look good for the 21-year-old’s immediate future at Ibrox.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Gerrard has admitted that he would love to sign four of his five loanees permanently – Lassana Coulibaly, Ovie Ejaria, Ryan Kent and Joe Worrall. The fact he neglected to mention Sadiq does not seem like a coincidence.
“If you’re asking me if I’d want the four of them for next year, I’d sign them right now. We rate them highly,” the Gers boss said.
“In an ideal world, they’d all be on four or five-year deals but unfortunately it doesn’t work like that. We have to be respectful to their parents clubs.”
The 6ft 4ins striker has opened up about fighting for a place at Ibrox, but Rangers’ impressive performances without him do not do his chances much good. Sadiq seems to be facing a big challenge to save his spell in Scotland, but will he even be given a chance to show what he can do?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
